220 BAHAMA BIRD-LIFE 



tops of the sea-grapes, at a height of six or seven feet, or 

 among the cactuses within two feet of the ground. Several 

 nests are often i^hieed in one bush within reaching distance 

 of one another. They become matted with filth as the young 

 increase in size. One adult was seen carrying nest-building 

 material in its bill. 



Female Man-o'-Wav Bird and Yonns 



The Man-o '-War Bird lays but one egg, and in a numbei" 

 of nests fresh eggs were found. The young are born naked 

 and are brooded by the parents. As they increase in size 

 and become covered with white down, their wings seem to be 

 much too large for them to hold close to the body, and relax- 

 ed, are permitted to rest on the nest. Their whole attitude 

 suggests extreme dejection ; not only do the wings droop, 

 but the head often hangs over the edge of the nest. AVhen 

 approached they uttered a squealing, chippering call, and 

 snapped their bills with a rattling sound; both the note and 

 action strongly suggesting similar habits of the young 

 Brown Pelican. 



The develoi)iiient of the interscapular feathers in the 

 young Man-o '-War Bird is remarkable. Before there is any 

 evidence of wing or tail feathers, they cover the back like a 



