PELECANID^. 548 



which they roam^ they are said by voyagers to 

 return every night to roost upon dry land^ and to 

 breed upon the rocks of tropical shores. Some of 

 them^ as the Frigate-birds, resemble the Raptores 

 in their habits_, being endowed with a sight remark- 

 ably piercing, wdth an immense expanse and power 

 of wing-, and with the most determined audacity. 

 They attack other birds nearly of their own size, 

 forcing them to disgorge or relinquish the fish they 

 liave caught. It is difficult to imagine a more im- 

 posing sight than half a dozen of these aerial 

 tyrants sailing in mid-air, and suddenly swooping 

 down upon a shoal of fish that may have approached 

 near the surface of the sea. At other times, during 

 a storm, they will soar to such a height as to appear 

 but as specks in the firmament ; indeed, all their 

 powers of motion seem to be concentrated in their 

 wing's, for their feet are so short and imbecile that 

 when upon the ground, they may be approached 

 w4th perfect ease ; but in their proper element their 

 speed is wonderful. 



" The Frigate Pelican is possessed of a powder of 

 flight superior, perliap%s, to that of any other bird. 

 The swiftest of our Hawks are obliged to pursue 

 their victims at times for half a mile at the highest 

 pitch of their speed before they can secure them ; 

 but the Frigate Pelican comes from on high with 

 the velocity of a meteor, and on nearing the object 

 of its pursuit, which its keen eye has spied while 

 fishing at a distance, darts on either side to cut off* 

 all retreat, forcing it to drop or disgorge the fish 

 which it has just caught. Yonder over the waves 

 leaps the brilliant dolphin as he pursues the flying- 

 fishes which he expects to seize the moment thev 

 drop into the water. The Frigate-bird who has 

 marked them, closes his wings, dives towards them, 

 and immediately ascending, holds one of the tiny 

 things across its bill. Already fifty yards across 

 the sea, he spies a porpoise in full chase, launches 

 towards the spot, and, in passing, seizes the mullet 



