THE GANNET (bOOBY) 



163 



Mr. J. Gabriel thus describes the rookery in the Furneaux 

 Group: — "We found between 2,400 and 2,600 birds (roughly 

 estimated by measurement) seated in the locality on their 

 nests. The birds were in no wise put out by our presence, and 

 we photographed to our hearts' content. The nests were built 

 on slightly raised mounds of clay and a good admixture of 

 guano, of which the place smelt strongly, and were composed of 

 twigs, algge and" polyzoa. Bach nest contained one egg only. 

 Hovering over the rookery, and coming and going from seaward. 



G-annets {Sula serrator) Nesting, 



D. Le Souef. 



were the mates of the sitting birds. It was the prettiest of 

 sights to see these birds alight alongside their mates, kissing and 

 caressing them in a most loving and affectionate way. 

 Occasionally one of the new comers would eject from its throat 

 a fish which it had brought in from the sea. It is really 

 wonderful the size of fish they carry — 15 inches was the 

 measurement of a pike which we found lying near one of the 

 nests, and we saw the remains of others which must have 

 measured still more. Frequently we could see a handsome 

 Gannet rise on its feet off its egg and flap its wings to stretch 

 its feathered limbs : should the bird be so unfortunate as to 



