r eggs upon the bare rocks. Sometimes a few sticks
or grasses will be placed about the bird to prevent the eggs from
rolling away. They generally lay two eggs, chalky white and nest
stained. Size 2.40 x 1.60. Data.--Key West, Bahamas, April 14, 1891. No
nest; two eggs laid on the bare rocks.

115.1. BREWSTER'S BOOBY. _Sula brewsteri._

Range.--Pacific coast from Lower California southward. This Gannet
replaces the common Booby on the Pacific coast. It nests abundantly on
many islands in the Gulf of California, and in company with the
blue-footed variety, on San Pedro Martir Island. They generally lay two
eggs, placing them upon the bare rocks and surrounding them with a ring
of sticks and seaweed to keep them in place. The eggs are chalky white
and cannot be distinguished from those of the other Boobies. Data.--San
Benedicto Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg laid on the
sand amid a few blades of grass.

116. RED-FOOTED BOOBY. _Sula piscator._

This is another species that is only occasionally taken on the Florida
coast. The habits of the birds and their nesting habits are the same as
those of the others of the family. Two chalky white eggs are laid.
Data.--San Benedicto Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg.
Nest a few twigs of rank grass. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

[Illustration 077: Chalky bluish white, nest stained.]
[Illustration: Booby. Red-footed Booby.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 76

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 themselves to be touched
with the hand. It is said that thousands of the young are killed by
fishermen every year and marketed in