

THE FRIGATE BIED. 277 



naturalists, and notably the Prince of Canino, record four species 

 known in Europe namely, Cygnusolor, C.immutabilis, C.musicus, 

 and C. Bewickii besides the American species, namely, C. ame- 

 ricanus and C. bucciimtor. There is another species, peculiar to 

 Australia, which is entirely black : efforts have been made suc- 

 cessfully to naturalise it in Europe. 



THE BLACK SWAN (Cygnus atratus). 

 SYNONYMS. Anas Plutonia : Shaw. Chenopis : Wagler. 

 We here give a representation (Fig. 100) of the Black Swan 

 of Australia. This bird, which has now become so common 

 in our ornamental waters, in some respects resembles the White 

 species ; it is all black, except a few of the secondary feathers, 

 which are white. In a state of nature, the Black Swans are gene- 

 rally seen in flocks of eight or nine floating on lakes. When 

 disturbed, they fly in single file, and are so shy that it is very 

 difficult to get within gunshot when in captivity. Their note is 

 less harsh than that of the Whooping Swan. 



THE FRIGATE BIRD (Fregata, Ray). 

 ENGLISH SYNONYM. Man-of-war Bird: Sloane. 

 LATIN SYNONYM. Tachypetes : Vieillot. 



The Frigate Bird is principally characterised by a strong, 

 robust, trenchant bill, longer than the head, with mandibles 

 hooked at the point ; nostrils linear ; orbits naked ; throat dilat- 

 able ; the front of the neck bare of feathers ; wings very long 

 and narrow, first two feathers longest ; tail lengthy and forked ; 

 feet short ; toes united by a membrane deeply notched. 



The Frigate Bird spreads its wings to the extent of three yards ; 

 its power of flight is, therefore, very great. It inhabits the 

 tropical seas of both the Old and New World, and navigators 

 assure us that they have met with it two or three hundred 

 leagues from any shore. When a hurricane arises they mount 

 up far above the storm, and remain in these empyrean regions 

 until it is again fine weather. In consequence of their immense 

 expansion of wing, they can sustain themselves in the air for days 

 together without taking or requiring rest. 



