82 



CICONIIFORMES 



CHAP. 



is extremely rapid, graceful, and long-sustained, with sudden devia- 

 tions from the course, but they often soar until they appear mere 

 specks in the sky, descending thence with great abruptness. At 

 times they float aloft with little apparent movement of the wide- 

 spread wings, alternately opening and shutting the forked tail and 

 inclining the head from side to side, while in hurricanes they fly 

 low before the gale. At rare intervals they are found sitting 

 asleep upon the shore. Flocks frequently pursue the surface- 

 swimming fish, constituting their main aliment, which are seized 



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Fig. 24. Frigate Bird. Fregata aqvila. 



almost without ruffling the water ; squids, small crabs, flying fish, 

 and young turtles being also eaten. To see a Frigate-bird plunge, 

 however, is no uncommon occurrence, and the habit of forcing 

 Terns, Boobies, and the like to disgorge their prey, which is 

 caught before it reaches the waves, must not be forgotten.^ If 

 secured in an awkward position the captures are tossed up in 

 the air, caught again and swallowed. The note, a harsh croak 

 or cackle, is seldom heard. The nest of small sticks, which the 

 birds tear off upon the wing, is generally in trees or bushes, 

 though occasionally on the ground or on a bare rock ; it is often 

 ^ H. 0. Forbes, Nattiralist' s Wanderings, London, 1885, p. 32. 



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