334 Mr. P. R. Lowe on Birds collected 



through the branches and fall to the ground, where it is 

 lielpless and more often than not is unable to regain its 

 native element through the thick overspreading branches. 

 We found the desiccated bodies of several birds hanging by 

 the neck from a forked branch, having evidently slipped 

 down from their nests and been caught up by the fork as 

 they fell. We had been previously solemnly assured by a 

 AVest-Indian negro that Frigate-birds sometimes commit 

 suicide. The owner of the island told me that these birds 

 eat an enormous quantity of young turtles that have just 

 taken to the sea, when they are unable to dive. I am not 

 aware whether or no Frigate-birds are known to take draughts 

 of water, but I watched for some time a band of about twenty 

 hovering over a large pond of fresh water on the western 

 island, and every now and then dipping down to it one after 

 the other in the apparent endeavour to scoop some of it into 

 their bills. The bill at each stoop was dipped lightly into the 

 water, and I could discover nothing either on the surface or 

 in the water on which they could be feeding. Dr. Adams, 

 the son of the owner, assures me he has often seen Frigate- 

 birds doing this, and he is convinced that they are then 

 drinking. It is a mistake to suppose that they live entirely 

 on animal-matter floating on the surface of the water, or on 

 prey which they make Gannets and other birds disgorge, for 

 I have myself seen one chase and capture a fine flying-fish 

 which was skimming over the waves. If by any mischance 

 a bird happens to find itself in the water, it is very seldom 

 able to rise unless there is a fresh breeze, and it sooner or 

 later perishes. 



Falco columbarius Linn. 



An American Merlin was seen and shot. The owner told 

 me that he had been interested to note many Hawks of 

 different species apparently following in the track of birds 

 migrating during the autumn and spring. I have shot the 

 present species in both the Grand and Little Cayman 

 Islands. 



