KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



Family FREGATID^. Man-o'-War Birds. 

 Genus FREGATA Cuvier. 



211 



FREGATA AQUILA {Linn.). 

 Man-o'-War Bird. 



Adult male : Entire plumage brownish black, showing a greenish reflection on the head, and 

 purplish upon the back ; tail forked and composed of twelve feathers ; gular sac pale orange ; 

 iris brown. 



Adult female : Differs from the male by having a white patch on the breast, which extends 

 along the sides of the neck and around it near the middle. 



Length, 43; Wing, 25; Tail, 19; Tarsus, i; Bill, 6. 



This species is common on the Florida coast. It is possible that it may 

 nest on some of the keys ; but I know of no actual record of its breeding 

 in the United States. It breeds commonly in the Bahama Islands, where I 

 have often found its nest. The female lays one white egg. 



Ranges along the tropical and sub-tropical coast of America, and an 

 occasional straggler has been recorded as far north as Nova Scotia. 



