THE YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. 



5T 

 I 



N appearance this bird resembles 

 a large Tern (see Vol. i, page 

 103), and its habits are similar 

 to those of the Terns. Inter- 

 topical, it is of a wandering dis- 

 position, breeding on the islands of 

 mid-ocean thousands of miles apart. 

 It is noted for its elegant, airy, and long- 

 protracted flight. Davie says that 

 on Bourbon, Mauritius and other 

 islands east and south of Madagascar 

 it breeds in the crevices of the rocks 

 of inaccessible cliffs, and in hollow 

 trees. In the Bermuda Islands it nests 

 about the first of May in holes in high 

 rocky places along the shores. Here 

 its favorite resorts are the small islands 

 of Great Sound, Castle Harbor, and 

 Harrington Sound. The Phaeton, as 

 it is felicitously called, nests in the 

 Bahamas in holes in the perpendicular 

 faces of cliffs and on the flat surfaces 

 of rocks. A single egg is laid, which 



has a ground-color of purplish brown- 

 ish white, covered in some specimens 

 almost over the entire surface with 

 fine reddish chocolate-colored spots. 



These species compose the small but 

 distinct family of tropic birds and are 

 found throughout the tropical and sub- 

 tropical regions of the world. Long 

 journeys are made by them across the 

 open sea, their flight when emigrating 

 being strong, rapid, and direct, and 

 immense distances are covered by them 

 as they course undismayed by wind or 

 storm. In feeding, Chapman says, 

 they course over the water, beating 

 back and forth at a height of about 

 forty feet, and their long willowly tail- 

 feathers add greatly to the grace and 

 beauty of their appearance when on 

 the wing. They are of rare and 

 probably accidental occurrence on our 

 coasts. 



The Songs of Nature never cease, 

 Her players sue not for release 

 In nearer fields, on hills afar, 

 Attendant her musicians are : 

 From water brook or forest tree, 

 For aye conies gentle melody, 

 The very air is music blent 

 An universal instrument. 



JOHN VANCE CHENEY. 



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