SULA. 239 



Genus SULA. 

 Latinised from the Norse SuU, which is said to mean an awkward fellow, a dolt. 



Bill strong and pointed. Upper mandible furrowed, inner margins of both 

 mandibles serrated. Nostrils minute, in long groove (completely closed in adults). 

 Sides of head, chin, and part of throat naked. Tail wedge-shaped, of twelve to 

 eighteen feathers. Third and fourth toes equal. Mid claw pectinated. 



(i.) Feathers on throat ending in a transverse line. 



Plumage above uniform sooty brown. 



273. Sula leucogaster. The Boobt. 



(? 26" to 32". Legs pale yellow. Bill from gape 4-7", white, veined bliie. 



Head, neck, and chest dark brown. Under parts white. Tail-feathers fourteen. — 



Young all brown. Tropical and subtropical seas, except Pacific coast of America. 



(J. 998. B. 1530.) 



Also S. brewsteri. Similar to S. leucogaster, but head and throat are white, shading into 

 grey on neck. Pacific coast of America. 



Plumage above, including head and neck, mostly white. 



27 i. Sula piscator. Thb Eed-leqged Boobt. 



(J 26" to 30". Legs red. Bill red. Upper tail slightly mottled. Tail white, 



of fourteen or sixteen feathers. Outer webs of flight-feathers grey. Tropical 



and subtropical seas, except the Pacific coast of America. Common in the Malay 



Archipelago. (J. 999. B. 1531.) 



Also S. websteri. Resembles S. piscator, but tail is brown-grey. Galapagos and neighbouring 

 seas. 



275. Sula cyanops. The Masked Boobt. 



(J 33". 5 32". Legs lavender. Bill bluish. Tail, quills, and greater 

 wing-coverts black. Outer webs of flight-feathers brownish black. Tail-feathers 

 sixteen to eighteen. Tropical seas. Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. (B. 1532. 

 S.F. V. 303.) 



Also S. variegata. 29"- Similar to S. cyanops, but bill is red. Coasts of Chili and Peru. 

 Piumage above dark brown. 



S. nebouxi. 34". With feathers of head and upper neck narrow and pointed. Tail of 

 sixteen feathers. Pacific coast of America. 



(ii.) Feathers on throat extending forward in two lines. 



Mostly white. Head and neck buff. 



Naked band down middle of throat. 



Tail of twelve feathers. 



S, bassana. 36". The Gannet or Soland Goose. Throat-patch 2" long. Primaries black. 



Full adult dress is not obtained till sixth year. Single egg (3'0 x 20), pale bluish green. 



N. Atlantic, extending south in winter to Gulf of Mexico, N. Africa, Madeira, and Canary 



Islands. 



S. serrator. 36". Similar to S. bassana, but mid-tail is brown-black. Australia and New 

 Zealand. 



S. capensis. 31. Similar to S. bassana, but throat-patch is 6" long, and tail is brownish 

 black. S. Africa. 



