TACHYPETES AQUILUS : FRIGATE. 



341 



FAMILY TACHYPETID^: FRIGATES. 



FRIGATE, OR MAN-OF-WAR BIRD. 

 TACHYPETES AQUILUS (L.) V. 



Chars. Bill longer than head, stout, straight, wider than high 

 at the base, thence gradually compressed to the strongly hooked 

 extremity. Nostrils very small, linear, almost entirely closed, in 

 a long, narrow groove. 

 Gular sac small, but ca- 

 pable of considerable 

 distension. Wings ex- 

 ceedingly long and 

 pointed, of about thirty- 

 four remiges, of which 

 the ten primaries are 

 very powerful, with stout 

 quadrangular shafts ; 

 upper and middle por- 

 tion of the wings greatly 

 lengthened. Tail very 

 long, deeply forked, of 

 twelve strong feathers. 

 Feet exceedingly small, 

 the tarsus, in particular, extraordinarily short, feathered ; 

 middle claw pectinate. Bulk of body slight compared with the 

 great length of the wings and tail. Male brownish-black, glossed 

 with green or purplish, duller on the belly, wings showing brown 

 and gray ; female with white on neck and breast. Length, 

 about 3.50 feet; extent, about 8.00; wing, 2.00 ; tail, 1.50; bill, 

 5.00 or 6.00 inches ; tarsi, i inch or less. 



Accidental, in one known instance. Mr. George Bird 

 Grinnell narrates that a female of this species was killed 



FIG. 75. HEAD OF FRIGATE BIRD. 



