BOOBY AND MAN-O'-WAR BIRD 221 



mantle, as may be seen in the photographs of young birds in 

 the nest. 



it is surprising that in a bird famed for its power of Might, 

 and possessed of exceptional length of wing and tail, the 

 featliers of these parts, contrary to the general rule, should 

 not take the lead m development. Comparison of tiie young 

 xUan-o'-War liiras and young ijoouies, for example, in 

 winch wmg-featliers of the second pmmage are just evident, 

 shows that while the former has tne wUoie interscapular re- 

 gion blacK, some of the featliers being o. i o inches in lengtn, 

 me J^ooDy sliows as yet no signs of second plumage in this 

 region. 



xNot only are the wmg feathers in Frcyata late m appear- 

 ing, but tne secondaries precede the primaries, tlie tormer 

 averaging two inches in length, witn tne greater and median 

 coverts sUowmg, when the latter is just observable. 



Uur work tmished, we recurned to the "i^hysalia'' late 

 on tne afternoon of April 1-;, tne cnange m wind smce our 

 landing making it necessary to re-embark irom tne soutiiern 

 Side of the Cay, and at o p. m., on tlie lotii, we reached our 

 old anchorage between tlie Kagged islands. 



April io, we replenished our supply of fresh water from 

 a well or seepage-hole within a few yards of the sea, and on 

 the iith headed for JSassau, but after making eighteen 

 miles, strong head winds forced us to seek shelter and 

 anchor. 



April 15, we had made only three miles, when the heavy 

 north wind obliged us to anchor under Nurse ivey on which 

 we passed the day. At midnight the wind hauled to the east- 

 ward, giving us a lee and XJermitting us to lay our course. 

 At 6 p. M., on the i6th, we were abreast of Harvey Cay after 

 our only good day's run since leaving Miami, and the ba- 

 rometer promising settled weather, under the advice of the 

 pilot, but against the judgment of our commander, we decid- 

 ed to sail through the night. 



The wind held fair but doubtless a tidal current setting 



