pelecanidj:. 



545 



checking its course to hover for a while over the topmost 

 point of a vessel's masts, sometimes darting like a meteor, 

 with its two long projecting tail-feathers streaming in 

 the air, downwards on a shoal of flying-fish ; and anon 

 rising gracefully with its prize, again to soar aloft and 

 take its rest above the clouds." — {Bishop Stanley's 

 '•'■ History of Birds.'''') 



Fig. 210. — the frigate-bird. 

 {Tachypetes Aquila ) 



