316 Mr. G. C. Taylor on Birds collected in Honduras, &^^c. 



90. Brown Pelican. [Pelecamis fuscvs.) 



Very plentiful ou both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and, 

 indeed, wherever I have been in the western tropics. They have 

 a breeding station in Fonseca Bay, as I was informed, but I was 

 unable to visit it. I never saw one with a rufous neck. Those 

 I saw generally had the plumage grey, and the neck completely 

 white, with yellow feathers on the head. It is a beautiful sight 

 to see these birds fishing. They fly at a considerable height, 

 with slowly flapping wings ; on seeing a shoal of fish beneath 

 them, they " round to,^^ and fall like a stone into the water, 

 causing the spray to dash up many feet into the air. If suc- 

 cessful, they sit on the water, and dispose of their prey ; if the 

 contrary, they rise again, and look out for a fresh chance. The 

 spray they cause by dashing into the water may be seen far 

 away, much further than the bird itself is visible to the naked eye. 



91. Booby. {Su/a fusca.) 



These birds were not uncommon along the coast. I saw one 

 on Bird Island in Fonseca Bay, and another flew on board the 

 * Columbus ' ou our voyage from Panama to La Union. It 

 kept company with the ship for some time, and made repeated 

 attempts to settle, and at last perched in the rigging, and was 

 caught by a boy. After examining it, we turned it loose again. 



92. American Darter. iPlotus anhinga.) 



I saw several of these birds on the Lake of Yojoa, but was 

 unable to get a shot. 



93. Frigate-bird. {Freyata aquila.) 



Common on the coast in all parts of the western tropics that 

 I have visited. They were very plentiful in Fonseca Bay, where 

 there was a breeding station on one of the islands. I found them 

 breeding on the 1st of January*. They fish much in the same 

 manner as the Pelicans, but instead of entering the water, they 

 stop short on reaching the surface, and seize their prey with the 

 beak, almost without causing the slightest ripple, and ascend 

 again with a heavy flapping of their long wings. In flight and 

 general appearance they much resemble large black Terns. 

 They soar to an immense height, often appearing mere specks in 

 the sky. 



* See ' Ibis,' vol. i. p. 150. 



