Gannet

Also known as a Solan Goose (Sula bassana), the Gannet is a large marine bird which nests in scattered localities in most parts of the world. Its specific name refers to the fact that it has long been a denizen of Bass Rock -- a famous craggy islet on the coast of England. This bird also nests on Bird Rock in the gulf of St. Lawrence, and other species exist in the tropics. It belongs to the same sub-order as the cormorant, and may be recognized by the fact that, as in the latter, all four toes are united by a web. Its bill is long, strong, and compressed to a point. In adult life, the plumage is white, save for the black primaries and a buff patch on the head or neck; the young are dusky, and do not acquire the white plumage until their sixth year. Their nests contain only one egg.

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