THE PELICANS 219 



or frigate-bird never deliberately enters the water. It is the most 

 buoyant flying machine among all birds, having the greatest wing 

 area in relation to body-weight. Its long narrow pointed wings and 

 great long tail are perfect instruments for the high-speed manoeuvres, 

 as well as for the effortless soaring, of its incomparably graceful and 

 elegant flight. The boobies, by comparison, seem to lunge clumsily 

 into the sea after the flying-fish; but the arrow-fast frigate-birds 

 easily overtake the flying-fish long before they drop into the water. 

 The "half-beaks," fish which skim on the surface of the water are 

 likewise seized by the dashing frigate-birds; and probably fifty per 

 cent, of their food is taken direct in this way. Especially in rough 

 weather does the frigate-bird earn an "honest living," plucking fish 

 from the hollows and crests of storm-waves. It is during calms that 

 boobies and other birds are most pursued by frigates which follow 

 on the tail of the food-loaded booby or gull, and if the contents of the 

 crop are not ejected, the tail itself or a leg of the victim may be seized 

 and viciously wrenched. Frigate-birds will attend the cleaning of 

 fish at sea and deftly snatch offal thrown from trawlers and 

 smacks. They follow tropical rivers, frequenting slaughter-houses 

 together with black vultures: the vultures snatch up the oflfal thrown 

 on the ground and the man-o'-war birds that which is flung into the 

 water. 



Although sedentary in its range the man-o'-war bird has been 

 watched crossing over the Panama isthmus and the breadth of Cuba. 

 It will visit fresh water; and has been seen to dash down and buflfet 

 the surface as if desiring a shower-bath and possibly a drink. 



As with the boobies, the breeding of the frigate-birds is not fixed 

 to one season of the year in its tropical range. The male first occupies 

 a tree-site and sits there, inflating the bright crimson globe of his 

 throat-sac as an intimidation to other males or as an invitation to 

 the larger, duller female, or both. She brings the nesting material 

 and, as soon as the flimsiest platform is built, mating takes place. 

 The male continues in occupation of the site: it is absolutely neces- 

 sary for him to do so if he would retain a nest, since the slovenly 

 platform would disappear, bit by bit, in a few minutes, if he left it. 

 Nest-hungry females are always ready to steal twigs and sticks; 

 although there is abundant material under the trees, the man-o'-war 

 is unwilling to alight on the ground, from which it finds it difficult, 

 with long narrow wings and tail, to rise. She therefore robs her 

 neighbours, which are often red-footed boobies, taking sticks from 



