GANNETS 



(114) Sula cyanops 



iStt?id.) (Norse, se;i -swallow; Gr., blue-face). 



BLUE-FACED BOOBY. Bill 

 large and heavy; naked face and 

 pouch livid blue; feet reddish. Plum- 

 age as shown, white, except that the 

 primaries and secondaries are wholly 

 black; quite unusual in that the 

 outer tail feathers are black while 

 the inner ones are white. L., 30.00; 

 Ex., ss.oo; W., 16.00; T., 8.00; B., 

 3-75- 



Range — Breeds in the Bahamas, 

 West Indies and southward. Acci- 

 dental in Fla. 



(116) RED-FOOTED BOOBY. 

 (Sula piscitor) (Linn.) A tropical 

 species accidentally occuring in Fla. 



ing or dipping the head. On the waterthey are very buoyant; 

 they hold their slender tails high up to prevent their getting 

 wet. On the wing they are the very embodiment of grace. 



Family SULID.E. G^nnets 



Gannets are large, heavy sea-birds and, with one ex- 

 ception, are found in tropical waters. Two species regu- 

 larly occur within our range and two others. Blue-faced 

 Boobies and Red-footed Boobies, have been taken in Florida. 



The COMMON or BROWN BOOBY is an abundant 

 species in the Bahamas and West Indies, where they nest 

 in colonies on some of the keys. The name "booby" is 

 applied to these birds because they are so very fearless or 

 tame when nesting. Ordinarily they are as timid as most 

 sea-birds, but their timidity diminishes as the nesting season 

 advances, and when incubation of their eggs is well ad- 

 vanced they will not leave unless forced to do so; they do, 

 however, defend their homes with their bills, and these are 

 such effective weapons that it is well not to venture too close. 



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