Gannet. Not one of the species of Lestris with which I am acquainted,
ever attempts to molest it; and, although I have seen the Frigate
Pelican in quest of food within a short distance of it, I never saw
it offer injury. The insular rocks on which it breeds are of course
inaccessible to quadrupeds. The only animals, so far as I know, that
feed on the eggs or young, are the _Larus marinus_ and _Larus glaucus_.
It is said that the Skua, _Lestris Cataractes_, sometimes pursues the
Gannets, but that species does not exist in North America; and I am
inclined to doubt the truth of this statement, for I have never seen a
Lestris of any kind attack a bird equal to itself in size and strength.
Soon after the young Gannets are able to fly, all the birds of the
species leave the breeding place, and absent themselves until the
following season. While at Newfoundland, I was told that the English
and French fishermen who inhabit that country salt young Gannets for
winter provision, as is done in Scotland; but I saw none there. In my
estimation, the flesh of this bird is so bad that, as long as any other
can be procured, it ought to be rejected.
It is a curious fact, that the Gannets often procure mackerels or
herrings four or five weeks before the fishermen fall in with them on
our coast; but this is easily explained by their extensive wanderings.
Although this bird is easily kept in captivity, it is far from being a
pleasant pet. Its ordure is abundant, disagreeable to the eye as well
as the nose; its gait is awkward; and even its pale owl-like eyes glare
on you with an unpleasant expression. Add to this, the expense of its
food, and I can easily conceive that you will not give it a place in
your aviary, unless for the mere amusement of seeing it catch the food
thrown to it, which it does like a dog.
The feathers of the lower parts of the Gannet differ from those of
most other birds, in being extremely convex externally, which gives
the bird the appearance of being covered beneath with light shell-work,
exceedingly difficult to be represented in a drawing.
My highly esteemed and talented friend WILLIAM MACGILLIVRAY having
given a full account of the habits of the Gannet, as observed on the
Bass Rock in Scotland, I here present it to you.
“The Bass is an abrupt rock, having a basis of about a mile in
circumference, and of an oblong form. The cliffs are perpendicular
in some places, overhanging in others, and everywhere precipitous,
excepting at the narrow extremity next the land, where, sloping less
abruptly, they form at the base a low projection, on which is the
only landing-place. Above this are the ruins of the fortifications
and houses, the Bass having formerly been used as a State-prison. The
rocks are in some places apparently two hundred feet in height, and
the summit, towards which the surface rises in an irregular manner, is
probably a hundred and fifty feet higher. In as far as I observed, the
whole mass is of a uniform structure, consisting of trap, intermediate
between greenstone and clinkstone, of a dull brownish-red colour, and
small granular structure. Although a great portion of the upper surface
of the island is composed of rock, there is an abundant vegetation,
consisting chiefly of _Festuca ovina_, _F. duriuscula_, and a few other
grasses, mixed with the plants usually found in maritime situations.
“The circumstance connected with the Bass most interesting to the
Zoologist, is its being one of the few places in Britain to which the
Gannet resorts during the breeding season. The number which I saw on
the 13th May 1831, when I for the first time visited it along with some
friends, might be estimated at twenty thousand. Every part of the mural
faces of the rock, especially towards their summits, was more or less
covered by them. In one spot near the landing place, about forty yards
in circumference, and on a gentle slope of gravelly ground, about three
hundred individuals were sitting in peaceful security on their nests.
“The Gannets arrive about the middle of February or the beginning of
March, and depart in October; some years a few individuals remain
during the winter. The nests are composed of grass and sea-weeds,
generally placed on the bare rock or earth, elevated in the form of a
truncated cone, of which the base is about twenty inches in diameter,
with a shallow terminal cavity. On the summit of the island are
numerous holes in the turf, from eight to fifteen inches deep, and
from six to nine broad, formed by the Gannets in pulling away grass
and turf for their nests. They are placed on all parts of the rocks
where a convenient spot occurs, but are much more numerous towards the
summit. Some of them on the face of the rock, or in a shallow fissure,
and which have been occupied for years, are piled up to the height of
from three to five feet, but in this case they always lean against the
rock. The egg, which is solitary, and presents nothing remarkable in
its position, is of an elongated oval form, bluish-white, dull, with
a chalky surface, usually patched with yellowish-brown dirt. It is
subjected to what might appear rough usage, for the bird in alighting,
flying off, or when disturbed by the intrusion of human visitors,
tosses it about, and often stands upon it.
“When sitting, the Gannets usually allow a person to approach within
three feet, sometimes much nearer, so that one may even touch them.
When one approaches them, they merely open their bill, and utter their
usual cry, or they rise and express some degree of resentment, but seem
to have very little apprehension of danger. They take advantage of the
absence of their neighbours to pilfer the materials of their nests,
frequently two join in this act, and occasionally two may be seen
tugging at the same bunch, endeavouring to wrest it from each other.
They are constantly repairing their nests, which being composed in a
great measure of sea-weeds, shrink up in dry weather, and decompose in
wet; and when seated close together they have frequent quarrels. I saw
one seize its neighbour by the back of the neck, until the latter, I
may say, roared out; but in general, they are satisfied with menacing
each other with open bills and loud clamour. In leaving the nest, they
generally scatter about a quantity of the materials of which it is
composed, for they are extremely awkward in their motions when on the
ground, hobbling and limping along, aiding themselves with their wings,
and draggling the abdominal feathers and tail.
“In launching from the cliffs, they frequently utter a single plaintive
cry, perform a curve, having its concavity upwards, then shake the
tail, frequently the whole plumage, draw the feet backwards, placing
them close under the tail, on each side, and cover them with the
feathers. In some the feet were entirely covered, while in others parts
of the toes were apparent. In flying, the body, tail, neck, and bill,
are nearly in a straight line, the wings extended and never brought
close to the body, and they move by regular flappings, alternating with
short sailings. In alighting, they generally ascend in a long curve,
keeping their feet spread, and come down rather heavily, often finding
it difficult to balance themselves, and sometimes, when the place is
very steep, or when another bird attacks them, flying off, to try it a
second time. On the rocks they stand with the body nearly horizontal,
or they lie on their belly, although some may be seen in an oblique or
even nearly erect posture. They usually repose with the head resting
between the shoulders, the bill concealed among the feathers of the
back. I caught one in that state, by walking up to it, and seizing it
by the tail and the tips of the wings, which cross each other over it.
“Owing to their interference with each other, a constant noise is kept
up amongst them. Their cry is hoarse and harsh, and may be expressed
by the syllables _carra_, _carra_, _carra_, or _kirra_, _kirra_,
_kirra_, or _crac_, _crac_, _crac_. The cry varies considerably
in different individuals, some having a sharper voice than others,
and when unusually irritated they repeat it with great rapidity. An
ornithological writer thinks they cry _grog_, _grog_; but neither Mr
AUDUBON nor myself interpreted their notes so, otherwise we could have
satisfied a few at least, as we had a bottle of whisky and a keg of
water.
“The young are at first covered with very beautiful close snow-white
down; at the age of about six weeks the feathers make their appearance
among the down; when two months old the birds are pretty well fledged,
and at the end of three months they are able to fly. The old bird at
first feeds the young with a kind of fish-soup prepared in its gullet
and stomach, and which it introduces drop by drop as it were into its
throat. But when its nursling is pretty well grown, it places its bill
within its mouth, and disgorges the fish either entire or in fragments.
They never carry fish to the rock in their bills. The smallest number
of young killed in a year is a thousand, the greatest two thousand;
but in general the number is fifteen or sixteen hundred. After being
plucked, they are sold at from sixpence to a shilling each. The price
of a young bird for stuffing is two shillings; of an old bird five,
of an egg one. For the information contained in this paragraph I am
indebted to the keeper.
“At the period of my second visit with Mr AUDUBON (the 19th August
1835), the nests in most places had almost entirely disappeared, for it
is only during incubation that the birds keep them in constant repair.
The young were in various stages, a few quite small and covered all
over with white down, the greater number partially fledged, with the
down remaining on the head and neck, and some nearly ready to fly,
and having merely a few tufts of down on the hind neck. The young lay
flat, either on the remnants of their nest, or on the bare rock or
ground. They are very patient and uncomplaining; in fact, none uttered
a single cry while we were inspecting them. I observed an old bird,
with its own young beside it, squeeze the neck of another youngling
with considerable force The poor bird bore the persecution with perfect
resignation, and merely cowered under the bill of the tyrant. The young
of the latter also attacked its neighbour, but was instantly checked,
on which it meekly desisted. One of the men informed me that last year
there were fourteen nests, each with two eggs. In such cases, one of
the young is said to be much smaller than the other.”
PELECANUS BASSANUS, _Linn._ Nat. vol. i. p. 217.—_Lath._ Ind.
Ornith. vol. ii. p. 891.
SULA BASSANA, _Ch. Bonaparte_, Synopsis of Birds of United
States, p. 408.
GANNET, _Nuttall_, Manual, vol. ii. p. 495.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXXVI. Fig. 1.
Bill longer than the head, opening beyond the eyes, straight,
elongated-conical, moderately compressed. Upper mandible with the
dorsal line straight and declinate, at the end convex and a little
decurved; ridge very broad, convex, with a slight median carina, and
separated on each side, from the sides, which are nearly perpendicular,
slightly convex, and have an additional narrow jointed piece below the
eye; edges sharp, direct, irregularly serrate, with numerous slender
cuts directed backwards; tip compressed, a little decurved, rather
acute. No external nostrils. Lower mandible with the angle very long
and narrow, the dorsal line straight, ascending, the sides erect,
convex, the edges sharp and serrated, the tip compressed and sharp.
Head large; neck of moderate length and very thick, body of moderate
bulk, rather elongated; wings long. Feet short, strong, placed rather
far behind; tibiæ concealed; tarsus very short, rounded before, sharp
behind, at its upper part anteriorly with rather large roundish-flat
scales, in the rest of its extent with very small oblong tubercles;
anteriorly there are three lines of small transversely oblong scutella,
which rim down the toes. The latter are long and slender, all united
by membranes, which are reticularly granulated, and have their margins
straight; first toe rather small, directed inwards and forwards, middle
toe longest, the outer almost equal. Claws of moderate size, slightly
arched, those of the first and middle toes depressed, the latter with
its inner edge thin and pectinated.
Plumage generally close, rather compact, the feathers small and
rounded; those on the head and neck blended and slightly glossed. A
bare space between the bill and the eye, surrounding the latter, and
extending an inch behind the angle of the mouth. The gular membrane
also bare for a small breadth, extending two inches beyond the base
of the mandible. About a quarter of an inch of the tibia bare. Wings
very long, narrow, acute; primaries strong, narrow, tapering rapidly
to a rounded point; first longest, second about a quarter of an inch
shorter, the rest rapidly graduated; secondaries short, rather broad,
rounded, with a minute acumen. Tail rather long, cuneate, of twelve
narrow tapering feathers.
Bill pale bluish-grey, tinged with green towards the base; the lines
on the upper mandible blackish-blue; the bare space about the eye,
and that on the throat, blackish-blue. Iris white. Tarsi, toes, and
webs brownish-black, the bands of narrow scutella on the tarsus and
toes light greenish-blue; claws greyish-white. The general colour of
the plumage is white; the upper part of the head and the hind neck of
a fine buff colour. Primary quills brownish-black, their shafts white
toward the base.
Length to end of tail 40-1/2 inches, to end of wings 38-1/4, to end of
claws 41; extent of wings 75; wing from flexure 20-3/4; tail 10; bill
along the ridge 4, along the edge of lower mandible 6; tarsus 2-2/12;
first toe and claw 1-1/4; middle toe 3-8/12, its claw 7/12; outer toe
3-(8-1/2)/12; its claw 4/12. Weight 7 lb.
The Female is similar to the male, but rather smaller.
Young fully fledged. Plate CCCXXVI. Fig. 2.
Bill light greyish-brown; the bare space around the eye pale
greyish-blue. Iris green. Feet dusky, the narrow bands of scutella pale
greyish-blue; claws greyish-white. The head, neck, and upper parts
are chocolate brown, each feather with a terminal narrow triangular
white spot; the lower parts greyish-white, spotted with greyish-brown;
each feather having a broad terminal margin of that colour. The quills
and tail-feathers are brownish-black. An individual shot in October
measured as follows:—
Length to end of tail 38 inches, to end of claws 32-1/2; extent of
wings 72. Weight 3 lb. 4 oz. This individual, however, was very poor.
Three individuals shot in the neighbourhood of Boston, Massachusetts,
presented the following dimensions, which are here given as indicative
of the difference of size frequently observed:—
Length to end of tail, 38-3/4 38-3/4 37
wings, 37-1/2 37-1/2 35
claws, 34-1/4 34-1/2 33
Extent of wings, 73-1/2 72 68-1/2
Wing from flexure, 19-1/2 17-1/2 19-1/2
An adult Male killed near Boston. The cellular tissue of the back
exhibits vacuities of very large size, intervening between the skin and
the muscles: one, at the lower part of the neck behind, being 5 inches
in length; another 5-1/2 inches long, extending from the furcula down
the humerus; and behind the wings four others, extending to the last
rib. Branches from these pass between the muscles, which present the
appearance of having been as it were dissected. A cell of enormous size
covers the side of the abdomen, and another pair run down the middle
of it, separated by a partition in the median line. That part of the
cellular tissue which adheres to the bases of the feathers is also
remarkably loose; and, close to each of them, is a roundish aperture
of large size, communicating with the great cavities mentioned above.
Between the pectoralis major and the subjacent muscles is a large
interspace formed by a great cell. The internal thoracic and abdominal
cells are also very large.
On the roof of the mouth are five sharp ridges. The nasal aperture is
1 inch and 5 twelfths long, linear, with a soft longitudinal flap on
each side. The tongue is extremely small, being only 7 twelfths long,
1 twelfth broad, blunt at the extremity, and with two papillae at the
base. The bare skin between the crura of the mandibles is of the same
structure as that of the Pelicans and Cormorants, but of small extent,
its posterior acute extremity not extending farther than that at the
base of the bill. The aperture of the glottis is 7-1/2 twelfths long.
The thyroid bone has an anterior curved prolongation, which projects
forwards, and from the extremity of which comes the elastic ligament
by which it is connected with the hyoid bone. The œsophagus, _a_, _b_,
is 15 inches long, measured to the commencement of the proventriculus,
extremely dilated, its diameter 2-1/2 inches at the top, contracting
to 2 inches as it enters the thorax, its narrowest part 1 inch 4
twelfths; its transverse muscular fibres moderately strong. The
proventriculus, _c_, _d_, is excessively large, 3-1/2 inches long,
its greatest diameter 2-1/4 inches. The glandules are cylindrical,
3 twelfths long, forming a very broad belt, separated however at its
narrowest part by a longitudinal interval of 5 twelfths of an inch,
and having three partial divisions on its lower edge. The greatest
length of the proventriculus, or breadth of the belt of glandules, is
2-1/2 inches. The mucous coat of the œsophagus is smooth, but thrown
into longitudinal plicæ when contracted; that of the proventriculus is
continuous, and of the same nature, being marked with extremely minute
reticulated lines, of which the more prominent have a longitudinal
direction. The stomach, properly so called, _d e_, is extremely small,
being only 1 inch 9 twelfths long, and about the same breadth. Its
inner coat is similar to that of the œsophagus and proventriculus;
being destitute of epithelium; several large mucous crypts are
scattered over its surface. The pylorus is small, having a diameter
of nearly 3 twelfths, and a marginal flap or valve on one side. The
intestine, _f_, _g_, _h_, is of moderate length, measuring 53 inches.
The duodenum _at first passes upwards_ in the direction of the liver
for 2 inches, _f g_, is then recurved for 3 inches, _g_, _h_, ascends
for 4 inches, _h_, _i_, and receives the biliary ducts, then passes
toward the spine and forms a curvature. The average diameter of the
intestine is 5 twelfths at the upper part, and it gradually contracts
to 3 twelfths. The rectum, _k_, measured to the anus is 5-1/4 inches.
It gradually enlarges from 4 to 6-1/2 twelfths. The cloaca, _m_, is
globular, 9 twelfths long, 8 twelfths broad. The cœca are 3 twelfths
long, 1-1/2 twelfth broad.
[Illustration]
The lobes of the liver are extremely unequal, as is always the case
when the stomach or the proventriculus is excessively large, the right
lobe being 2-3/4 inches long, the left 1 inch and 8 twelfths. The
gall-bladder, _n_, is very large, of an oblong form, rounded at both
ends, 1 inch and 8 twelfths long.
The trachea is 12 inches long, moderately ossified, round, its diameter
at the top 7 twelfths, gradually narrowing to 4 twelfths; the rings
124, the lower 4 united, The bronchi are large, their diameter greater
than that of the lower part of the trachea; of 25 cartilaginous
half-rings. The lateral or contractor muscles of the trachea are of
moderate strength; the sterno-tracheals strong; a pair of inferior
laryngeal muscles attached to the glandular-looking, yellowish-white
bodies inserted upon the membrane between the first and second rings of
the bronchi.
The olfactory nerve comes off from the extreme anterior point of the
cerebrum, enters a canal in the spongy tissue of the bone, and runs in
it close to the septum between the eyes for 10 twelfths of an inch,
with a slight curve. It then enters the nasal cavity, which is of an
irregular triangular form, 1-1/2 inch long at the external or palatal
aperture, 10 twelfths in height. The supramaxillary branch of the
fifth pair runs along the upper edge of the orbit, and by a canal in
the spongy tissue of the bones, enters the great cavity of the upper
mandible, keeping nearer its lower surface, and there branching. This
cavity appears to have no communication with the nasal; nor has the
latter any passage towards the obliterated external nostrils. The
lachrymal duct passes obliquely inwards from the anterior corner of
the eye, and enters the nasal cavity by an aperture 1/2 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 inside, 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.
SHOVELLER DUCK.
_ANAS CLYPEATA_, LINN.
PLATE CCCXXVII. MALE AND FEMALE.
The Creoles of Louisiana are well acquainted with this species, under
the name of “_Micoine_,” the etymology of which I am unable to trace.
In that country it arrives, both from the westward and from the
eastern inland districts, along with the Blue-winged Teal, or at the
commencement of autumn. It associates with that species, to which,
as well as to the Green-winged, the Mallard, the Dusky Duck, and the
Gadwall, I should consider it very nearly allied, notwithstanding the
peculiar expansion of its bill. The Shovellers remain in the lower
parts of Louisiana during the whole of the winter, and depart along
with the Blue-wings between the end of April and the middle of May.
There, in early spring, they resort chiefly to ponds, where they
feed on grasses and their seeds, as well as at times a small kind of
onion, the bulbs of which they pull up from the moist grounds on their
margins. This may perhaps to some seem strange, but I have long since
made up my mind to learn from Nature, and believe what is, rather than
what philosophers imagine ought to be. Having fed through the night,
they collect towards dawn into large bands, and betake themselves
to the margins of sand-bars on the Mississippi, where they spend the
greater part of the day. At other times I have found them swimming or
wading along the muddy margins of ponds and streams, immersing the head
and part of the neck while alternately moving the bill to either side,
in the manner of the Roseate Spoonbill, sifting as it were the contents
of the soft mud or water, and ejecting the substances unfit for food.
Repeated inspection of the stomach has shewn me that the Shoveller is
not more nice as to the quality of its food than the Mallard or any
other of the Duck tribe, for I have found in it leeches, small fishes,
large ground-worms, and snails. They never however, I believe, feed by
semi-immersion, like the Mallards and Teals, nor do they dive unless
hard pressed, or when in a sportive mood, when they will dash for a
moment beneath the surface.
This species is generally considered scarce in the United States, and
I believe it is so, for, although many pass northward and breed in the
Fur Countries, a greater number spend the summer months in the Texas
and the districts farther westward. It is however abundant on the
streams of the Rocky Mountains, as well as on the tributaries of the
Columbia River, where it was frequently observed by Dr TOWNSEND, during
summer.