Catesby, Mark. Vol.I, Tab. 86, The Great Booby

Painted and etched by Mark Catesby (1638 - 1749)Etching with hand color, paper dimensions: approximately 14 x 19 inchesFrom Volume I, Part 5 of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama IslandsLondon: 1732 - 1771 Currently known as the northern gannet, Morus bassanus and white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa*, Catesby described these subjects as follows: ANSERI BASSANO CONGENER Avis fluviatalis. The Great Booby. It's Size is about that of a Goose, the Head and Neck remarkably thick the Bill large, and almost Six Inches in length, a channel or cranny extends from one End to the other of the Upper Mandible. The Wings extended six Feet, and when clos'd, reach to the End of the Tail. The middle Feather of the Tail was longest, the Rest gradually decreasing in length, the Eyes are large, of a hazel Colour, encompassed with a Skin bare of Feathers. These Birds were of a dark brown colour, elegantly spotted with white on their Heads, the Spots are thick and small, on the