GANNETS 



(115) Sula leucogastra 



{Bodd.) (Gr., white belly). 



BOOBY; BROWN BOOBY. Bill, 



face, gular sac, iris and feet j'eUow. 

 Ad. — Plumage as shouii. Imma- 

 ture birds are entirely brown, lighter 

 below and with some mixture of white 

 feathers on the parts that are later 

 to become white. L., 29.00; W., 

 16.00; T., 8.00; B., 3.7s, depth at 

 base 1.25. Nest — A hollow in the 

 sand or on rocks, usually with no lin- 

 ing; two chalky- white eggs, more or 

 less nest stained; 2.40 x 1.60. 



Range — Breeds abundantly in the 

 Bahamas and West Indies; strays 

 along the South Atlantic coast from 

 S. Car. to Fla. 



Their food consists cliiefly of small iish, which they capture 

 by diving. They often feed their young at night, for then 

 the Frigate Birds, which rob them quite persistentl)^ during 

 the daytime, are asleep. 



The GANNET is the largest species of this family. Hav- 

 ing a northern distribution, it is more often seen by Americans 

 than any other. They are magnificent birds — large, strong 

 and exceedingly graceful when in flight. Their great ex- 

 panse of wings, about six feet, coupled with the pure white 

 plumage and black primaries, makes it possible to identify 

 them when far off. They are constantly wheeling about 

 over the water, and, upon sighting a fish in favorable posi- 

 tion, the wings are half closed and the great bird darts down 

 like a living arrow, piercing the water with a great splash; 

 if the prey is not secured on the plunge it is pursued and 

 caught under water. 



In America, Gannets nest only on Bird Rock and Bona- 

 venture Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Here every 

 available ledge not occupied by murres, auks, puffins or gulls 



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