172 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



Economic Qualities. — The tail-feathers are used as 

 ornaments by various island savage races. They 

 do no harm, and are very ornamental. 



Captivity. — I know no case of any species being kept 

 in this condition. 



Distribution and Species. — They are found in warm 

 seas all round the world, but are not abundant birds, 

 and there are only six species. They breed in 

 islands. With the exception of the Red-tailed 

 Tropic-Bird {Phaethon rubricauda), which has the 

 long centre tail-feathers red, and the Orange 

 Tropic-Bird {P. fulvus), which is of a salmon- 

 orange colour, they all look much alike. They 

 are called Boatswain-birds by sailors. 



Trumpeters [Psophiidce). 



Diagnosis. — Ground-birds of moderate size, with short, 

 fowl-like bill, long legs, and two outer front toes 

 webbed at the base. 



Size. — About that of a fowl. 



Form. — Bill short, fowl-like ; feet with long shanks, 

 toes moderate, two outer front ones webbed at 

 base ; hind-toe short, elevated, and useless ; 

 wings fowl-like, short and rounded ; tail very short, 

 not noticeable. Head small, neck rather long. 



Plumage and Colouration. — Feathering dark, close 

 and velvety on head, green or purple, metallic 

 and scaly-looking on breast, back covered with a 

 mantle of long, loose grey, white, or green fathers. 

 No sex-difference or seasonal change. Legs usually 

 green. 



Young. — Active and downy. 



Nest. — On the ground. 



Eggs. — White, with a greyish or yellowish tinge. 



Food. — Grain, fruit, etc., much as in pheasants. 



