BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 1 33 



hind neck was white, witliout any mixture of brown ; no difference 

 was observed in the comparative measurements. I intended to have 

 preserved it, but, unfortunately, before I was ready to slcin it, the 

 cook pkicked it for his private table." 



The food of this species appears to consist almost entirely of fish, 

 which it shows great expertness in catching, — according to some 

 writers plunging entirely beneath the surface in pursuit of its prey. 

 But although I have seen hundreds of birds of this species, and 

 watched them at different times in the act of catching fish, I have 

 never, in a single instance, seen them go entirely under water. The 

 eggs are usually from two to three in number, although some winters 

 claim that they sometimes lay four. 



Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. I. pi. 15. 



