THE BIRD BOOK 
Ganet Anhinga 
117- Gannet. Sula bassana. 
Range. — North Atlantic, breeding, in America, 
only on Bird Rocks in the St. Lawrence. 
These are the largest of the family, being 35 
inches in length. They feed on fish which they 
catch by diving upon, from the air. When flying 
their neck is carried fully extended. They rest 
on the water when tired, the numerous air cells 
beneath the skin, causing them to sit high up in 
the water and enabling them to weather the 
severest storm in perfect safety. The only known 
breeding place in America is Bird Rocks, where 
they nest by thousands, placing their nests in 
rows on the narrow ledges; the nests are made 
of piles of seaweed, mud and stones. They lay 
but one egg of dingy white color and covered with 
a chalky deposit. On St. Kilda Island, off the 
coast of Scotland, they breed by millions. They 
are very tame and will frequently allow them- 
selves to be touched with the hand. It is said 
that thousands of the young are killed by fisher- 
men every year and marketed in Edinburg and 
other places. Data. — St. Kilda Island, Scotland, 
June 18, 1896. Single egg laid on a large mass of 
seaweed on a sea cliff. Collector, H. McDonald. 
