22 The Bird Rock Group. 



off-shore, to northern Africa and the Gulf of Mexico. Of the 

 100,000 Gannets which were estimated by Mr. Bryant to be nest- 

 ing on the top of Bird Rock in i860, no mention being made of 

 those occupying the sides, only about 1,500 remain. Gannets 

 are remarkably impressive birds when on the wing, possessing in 

 an unusual degree power and grace of motion. They secure their 

 food of fish by diving, often from a height of forty feet or more, 

 half closing their wings and plunging into the water with terrific 

 force. The young are born naked, but their black skin is soon 

 covered by white down, which, before they leave the nest, is re- 

 placed by gray plumage. 



Gannets are the only representatives of their family in northern 

 waters, the remaining species of the group being found in the 

 tropics, where they are known by the name of Booby. When- 

 ever found, however, they are island-nesting birds, not one species 

 of Gannet, so far as known, nesting on the mainland. (For other 

 species, see gallery, case C.) 



Puffins (Fratercula arctica). Not more than two hundred 

 Puffins breed on Bird Rock. They place their nest, with its 

 single white egg, at the end of burrows which they excavate near 

 the summit of the Rock. When captured, the birds make every 

 effort to use their singularly formed bill, and as a weapon of 

 defense they can inflict a dangerous wound with it. 



When walking or perching they stand erect on the toes, while 

 the Murres and Razor-bills rest on the whole foot. Puffins are 

 called " Paroquets " by the French Canadians, and both in ap- 

 pearance and actions they resemble those birds. The call of the 

 Puffin, however, is a hoarse grunt, instead of the shrill squawk 

 emitted by the Paroquet. 



Closely allied species are found in the North Pacific (see case, 

 this hall), where they are an important article of food among the 

 natives, who also employ their singularly formed bill in the 

 ornamentation of their ceremonial garments. Aprons with Puffin 

 bills attached to them to produce a rattling noise as the wearer 

 danced, may be seen in hall No. 106, on the ground floor of 

 the Museum. 



Leach's Petrel (Oceanodro??ia leucorrhoa). Puffins sometimes 

 share their burrows with the Leach's Petrel or " Mother Carey's 

 Chicnke," but these interesting little birds also excavate burrows 



