THE GANNET (bOOBy) 



161 



the exact spot which it desires to reach ; it then flaps them 

 suddenly to the side of the body, and the admirable adaptability - 

 of its shape to its aquatic life may be well seen just as it enters 

 the water, the long beak, head, neck and body stretched out 

 rigidly in one straight line, the legs and wings tucked closely 

 in, everything arranged so as to offer as little resistance as 

 possible to the water. ' ' 



The nickname of "Booby" attaches to the Gannets, and 

 alludes to the calm imperturbability with which the bird sits on 



From life. 



Australian G-annets, Cat Island, Bass Strait. 



D. Le So-u'ef. 



its nest, and seems to be absolutely indifferent to the approach 

 or presence of clanger. Thus Mr. O. Salvin writes of S. piscator, 

 ' ' The word Booby is most appropriate ; I never saw a bird with 

 less idea of getting out of one 's way, or caring less for what one 

 did. Walking about under the trees was nothing ; they hardly 

 condescended to look down ; nor when we stirred them up while 

 taking a 'siesta,' pulled their tails, poked them off their nests, 

 and fought with them for their eggs, and bullied them in every 

 way, did we succeed in getting up any sort of excitement in the 



