PLATE "VI. 



SULA FIBER (Linn.) 



BROWN G AN NET. Genus: Sula. 



in ROM its insensibility to danger when approached, this variety comes under the significant, common 

 title of Booby, being foolishly eas}' of capture by hand ; when caught, its bite is severe. Travellers 

 have often seen the Brown Gannet kept as a pet, and allowed perfect freedom, in the native villages 

 on the islands and coasts which it inhabits. It frequents the northern shores of Australia in large 

 numbers, and may be easily approached and its habits studied. When actually startled into flying, the 

 curious trait has been noted that, on rising, it frequently voids the contents of the stomach. In its 

 habits, saving its want of fear, and in its mode of obtaining food, it entirely resembles those species 



already described. 



*j 



In size and plumage, the sexes resemble each other closely, and they cannot be distinguished by 

 outward observation. 



The nest is of very rude construction, built of dry scraps of herbage ; it is about a foot in diameter 

 and almost flat. Two eggs are deposited, with the peculiarity that one is invariably pure white and the 

 other soiled and muddy-looking. The shell is white, and the eggs differ considerably in size. The 

 largest of which the dimensions have been taken was 2| inches by 1 7 / 12 , the average size being about 

 2^ inches by If. Both sexes share the duties of incubation. 



Head, neck, throat, breast and all the upper surfaces rich, dark brown ; under surfaces white ; 

 bill bright yellow, with a greyish tinge round the eye; legs and feet faint yellow. 



The different colour sometimes observed on the face, legs and feet is believed to be that of 

 birds before maturity ; the brownish tinge sometimes found on the former being a sign that it is not 

 yet adult. 



Habitats : Torres Straits and northern coasts of Australia. 



