216 
THE BOOBY GANNET. 
The lachrymal duct passes obliquely inwards from the anterior corner of 
the eye, and enters the nasal cavity by an aperture § twelfth in diameter, 
near its anterior margin. 
In the cloaca was found a solid calculus, half an inch in diameter, of an 
irregular form, white within, externally pale yellowish-brown, and marked 
with grooves impressed by the action of the sphincter ani. 
The digestive and respiratory organs of the American Gannet are thus 
precisely similar to those of the European. In external form, proportions, 
and colours, there are no appreciable differences. The young in all stages 
are similar. The flight, voice, general habits, and all other circumstances, 
are the same. What, then, shall we say to those who have pretended that 
the American bird differs from the European ? Merely this, compare the 
two, outside and ingide, shew us differences, and then we shall judge if they 
be sufficient to indicate different species ; but until you have done this, do 
not imagine that a mere “ Sula Americana Nob.,” is enough to satisfy the 
world on this or any similar point. 
THE BOOBY GANNET. 
Sula pusca, Linn. 
PLATE CCCCXXVI.— Male. 
As the Marion was nearing the curious islets of the Tortugas, one of the 
birds that more particularly attracted my notice was of this species. The 
nearer we approached the land, the more numerous did they become, and I 
felt delighted with the hope that ere many days should elapse, I should have 
an opportunity of studying their habits. As night drew her sombre curtain 
over the face of nature, some of these birds alighted on the top-yard of our 
bark, and I observed ever afterwards that they manifested a propensity to 
roost at as great a height as possible above the surrounding objects, making 
choice of the tops of bushes, or even upright poles, and disputing with each 
other the privilege. The first that was shot at, was approached with con- 
siderable difficulty : it had alighted on the prong of a tree which had floated 
and been fastened to the bottom of a rocky shallow at some distance from 
