242 ZOOLOGY. 



BIRDS. 



THE FRIGATE-BIRD. 

 (Pelicanus Aquila.) 



THE Frigate-bird, or Sea-hawk, is one of the most re- 

 markable sea-birds frequenting intertropical regions. In 

 structure and habits it would appear to furnish a link be- 

 tween predaceous land birds and those equally rapacious 

 web-footed fowl which make the ocean their resort. 



The female bird has the back, wings, and tail, of a 

 rich duU-black hue; the head, neck, and abdomen 

 white, streaked with cinnamon-colour ; the beak, legs, 

 and bare skin of the head, light blue. In the male the 

 abdomen is glossy-black, and the bare integument of 

 the face red ; and the chin is furnished with a small red 

 pouch,* which does not obtain in the female. The wings 

 are long and very elegantly formed : their average 

 measurement, when expanded, is 6 feet the entire 

 length of the bird being 2. The tail is also long, and 

 very deeply forked. The beak is slender, and flattened 

 vertically, and both mandibles are hooked at their 

 extremity. The legs are very short, and feathered to 

 the feet. The toes are long, scarcely half- webbed, and 

 provided with strong talons. The claw of the longest 

 toe has, on its inner side, a serrated scale, while the 

 pollex, or innermost toe, (which is also the shortest and 

 least united by web,) is disposed to turn backwards, 

 as in perching birds. 



This construction of the feet does not permit the 

 frigate-bird to alight on the surface of the sea ; con- 



* During the breeding season, this pouch attains a considerable size : 

 its true function IB not known. 



