TROPIC BIRDS. 4,,^ 



moment they drop into the water. The frigate-bird, who has 

 marked them, closes his wings, dives towards them, and imme- 

 diately ascending, holds one of the tiny things across its bill. 

 Already, fifty yards across the sea, he spies a porpoise in full 

 chase, launches towards the spot, and, in passing, seizes the 

 mullet which had escaped from its dreaded foe; but now, having 



Fig 209.— The Red-taii.ed Tuonc Biro {Phaitou ruhricniida). 



caught a fish too large to be at once swallowed, he rises with it 

 into the air, as if bound for the skies. Three or four of his own 

 tribe have watched him and observed his success. They shoot 

 towards him on broadly extended pinions, mount upwards in 

 wide circles, smoothly, yet as swiftly as himself They arc now 

 all at the same height, and each, as it overtakes him, lashes him 

 with its wings, and tugs at the prey. See ! one has robbed him ; 

 but before he can secure the contested fish it drops. One of the 

 other birds has caught it ; but he is pursued by all. From bill 

 to bill, and through the air, rapidly falls the fish, until it drops 

 quite dead on the water, and sinks into the deep." — AUDUBON. 

 The type of the race is — 



The Red-tailed Tropic Bird {Phaeton rubricauda). Linnaeus has be- 

 stowed upon these birds the generic name of Phaciofi, or Birds of the Sun, 



