Lauren Sullivan, age 11, of Patterson, N.J., for her question:

HOW LARGE IS THE GANNET?

The gannet is a large sea bird that is found along both the west and east coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean. It measures three feet from the tip of its long beak to the end of its tail. The gannet's outstretched wings measure about six feet from tip to tip.

Gannets build their nests close together in large rookeries on asserted islands or in certain spots, such as Bird Rock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The birds arrive at the rookeries at the end of March and then fly south when autumn starts.

The bird's plumage is white with the tip of the wing black. The nest is usually made of grass and. seaweed. Only one egg is laid by the female.

The gannet has excellent eyesight. It is a powerful bird and can fly more than 100 feet above the water. It can see below the surface of the water and dive headlong with wings closed when it spots a fish. It hits the water with a great splash and spray, almost always coming up with a catch.