PLATE AT. 



GENUS SULA {Brisson). 



I^TO student of nature, even if he has watched them only with an artistic eye, as giving life to the 

 scene, can have failed to notice the Gannets as they poise themselves, fluttering above the sea, then 

 seeing their prey, turn and drop like an arrow, with closed wings, sending up a white column of spray 

 as they strike the water. Any one who is familiar with the coast scenery of Great Britain must have 

 noticed them pursue their picturesque method of obtaining food. The incautious and confiding Booby, 

 which often lights on the rigging of ships at sea, and remains till caught, is a variety of the genus. They 

 are found on nearly every extensive coast-line, and four species inhabit the Australian shores. 



SULA PISCATOK (Linn.) 



BED-LEGGED GANNET. Genus: Sula. 



variety inhabits chiefly the northern coasts of Australia. It is found in the greatest numbers 

 on Raine's Islet, situated in the Great Barrier Reef, where its habits were studied and many 

 specimens were obtained by Commander Ince. From notes made by him and by Mr. Macgillivra}', it 

 appears that the nest is rudely built from the roots of creepers which grow on the island. The birds 

 were very timid, and on their being molested, the islet was completely deserted by them during the clay : 

 they returned only at night, roosting on the earth or on stunted bushes on the higher ground. In its 

 habits generally and in its mode of procuring its food, the Red-legged Gannet resembles the other 

 members of the tribe. It plunges into the sea from a great height, thus capturing fish which are 

 swimming near the surface. 



The notes made by Mr. Macgillivray state that at the end of May he found only one bird 

 on the nest, which contained a single egg. He was of opinion that the breeding season was then 

 over. 



W ith the exception of the wings, which are dark-grey brown, and the tail, which is a yellowish 

 brown, the whole of the plumage is white, with a yellow tinge. In the adult bird the bill is a 

 delicate bluish pink at the base, running into a pale green ; the upper mandible is tipped with yellow : 

 h ides, dark grey : legs and feet, bright red. The colours of the bill and feet are much paler before 

 the bird is full-grown, deepening as it matures to the shades as depicted in the illustration. 



Habitats : Great Barrier Reef and northern coasts of Australia. 



