A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



possess slender bodies, short and thick necks, 

 powerful hooked beaks (with both mandibles 

 deflected), short feathered legs, long and 

 sharply pointed wings, and a deeply forked 

 tail like a swallow's. It is found that the 

 bones of these birds are more permeated 

 with air cavities than is the case with any 

 other known species, and there is a large 

 dilatable air-sac beneath the throat. The 

 great frigate bird (Fregata aquila) is found 

 in the warmer regions of the Atlantic, 

 Indian, and Pacific Oceans, whilst the lesser 

 frigate bird (Fregata minor) is nearly confined 

 to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, though 

 it has been recorded from the Atlantic also. 

 These magnificent birds of which the 

 greater measures about a yard in length 

 are extraordinarily strong on the wing. 

 They sail for long periods with motionless 

 wings, keeping up their flight with ap- 

 parently untiring zeal. Again, they may 

 be seen indulging in a series of magnificent 

 swoops, for they subsist largely on food 

 which they force other birds to disgorge. 

 The picturesque title of " Son of the Sun " 

 has been given to these birds, which spend 

 their lives perpetually wandering on the 

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