PELECANINJ2. SULA. 
225 
general integument ; tarsus very short, sharp behind, scaly, 
with three lines of small scutella, which run along the toes. 
First toe rather small, directed a little forwards, middle toe 
longest ; all connected by webs ; claws moderate, slightly 
arched, that of the third toe pectinate. Plumage close, on 
the head and neck blended ; wings very long, narrow, acute ; 
tail rather long, graduated, of twelve or fourteen feathers. 
The Gannets belong especially to the wanner regions. 
One species extends far into the temperate and colder parts, 
proceeding on both sides of the Atlantic in summer into the 
arctic seas, or taking stations for breeding at intervals. They 
fly at a moderate height, with a steady motion, and plunge 
headlong after their prey into the water, on which they 
never swim about in quest of food, and into which they can- 
not penetrate otherwise than by falling from a height. 
288. Sula Bassana. Solan Gannet. 
Bill pale bluish-grey, tinged with green at the base; bare 
space about the eyes, lines on the bill, and gular membrane, 
blackish-blue ; feet brownish-black, the scutella light green- 
ish-blue ; claws greyish-white; plumage white; upper part 
of head and hind-neck burl-coloured ; primary quills brown- 
ish-black. Young when fledged with the bill greyish-brown, 
the bare spaces on the head pale greyish-blue ; the feet dusky ; 
head, neck, and upper parts dark greyish-brown, each feather 
with a small terminal triangular white spot; lower parts 
greyish- white, spotted with greyish brown ; quills and tail- 
feathers brownish-black. 
Male, 39, 74, 20b, 4, 2 T a y , 3 T 8 5 , T V Female, 33, 73. 
Gannets are sometimes seen on the southern. coasts of Eng- 
land in winter. Generally, however, they arrive in February 
or March, and depart in October. There arc A o breeding- 
places in England, and but few in Scotland: the Bass Rock, 
Suliskerry, Ailsa Craig, St Kilda, and Ronay. They form 
their nests of turf and sea- weeds, placing them on the rocks, 
or sometimes on the ground. In each nest there is only a 
single egg, of an elongated oval form, bluish- white, with a 
chalky surface. The young are at first covered with close 
white down, and at the end of three months are able to fly. 
They are fed with partially digested fish poured into their 
throats. The Gannet alights heavily, stands in an inclined 
position, walks very awkwardly, launches on whig in a curved 
line, extends its neck and feet, flies rather steadily and slowly, 
P 
