MAN-O’-WAR BIRDS—Family Fregatide 
MAN-0O’-WAR BIRD; FRIGATE BIRD 
128. Fregata aquila. 40 in. 
Eye brown; bill long, comparatively slender, and flesh 
colored; gular sae orange; feet small and weak, with 
the four toes joined by webs. Frigate birds are strictly 
maritime; they nest in large colonies and usually travel 
in large companies. In expanse of wing compared to 
size of body they are unequalled by any other bird, and 
in power of flight they are only surpassed, possibly, by 
the albatrosses. They can walk only with difficulty and 
are very poor swimmers, owing to their small feet and 
long tail, but they are complete masters of the air 
and delight to soar at great heights. Their food of 
small fish is secured by plunging, or preying upon 
other sea birds. 
Nest.—A low, frail platform of sticks in the tops of 
bushes or low trees. They lay but a single white egg 
in Mareh or April; size 2.80 x 1.90. 
Breeds in the Bahamas, West Indies, Lower California 
and possibly on some of the Florida Keys. 
