48 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



High overhead a number of frigate birds were 

 circling. Every now and again one would plunge 

 downwards and chase a gannet which, slowly 

 flapping up from the sea, was bearing a mouthful 

 of food to its young on the hillside. 



These frigate birds, of which there are two 

 species on South Trinidad, get their food chiefly 

 by robbing the gannets. Woe betide the gannet, 

 as it slowly wends its way to its nest and young, 

 if it is spied by a frigate bird. The robber at once 

 hurls itself on its victim, and the gannet, terrified 

 at the attack of a bird so much larger than itself, 

 drops from its mouth and throat all the fish which 

 it has been at such pains to catch. The frigate 

 bird then swoops down and, catching up the fallen 

 fish before it reaches the ground or sea, makes off 

 and swallows the stolen food at leisure. 



Frigate birds, however, do not always rely 

 on this method of getting a meal. I have frequently 

 seen them catching fish for themselves, and 

 plunging into the water somewhat after the manner 

 of a tern. I have also seen them feeding on the 

 remains of a shark which had been killed and 

 thrown overboard. 



The commoner of the two frigate birds on South 

 Trinidad is the greater frigate,* a bird of large 

 size, larger than the common kite, and with a long 

 forked tail. The adult male is a glossy greenish 

 black, the feathers are of a lanceolate shape, and 



* Fregata aquila. 



