2-913-861 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Solan Gannet, shot near Boston, 1854. 'We abridge the following description from Mr. Gould's valuable work on " The Birds of Europe: "The seas bordering the European shores are the natural habitat of the Solan Gannet (Sula bassana, Bris.), and nowhere is it more common during summer than on the rugged and precipitous coasts of Scotland, especially the Bass Rock, the isles of Ailsa, St. Kilda. &c...The flight of the Gannet is extremely rapid, and capable of being long sustained ; hence it traverses the wide surface of the ocean with comparative ease...On the approach of spring they return to their accustomed rendezvous...While sitting on their nest, which is composed of seaweed and other similar materials, they are so absorbed in the task of incubation, that they will sometimes permit themselves to be approached, and even handled, without quitting it: they lay but a single white egg..."'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.