254 FRIGATE BIRDS. 



of one part of the lofty eminence, and dis- 

 tinctly seen from the ship, had a very pretty 

 and pleasing effect, as a bright sun diffused its 

 rays over the scene, which for some time re- 

 mained clear from even a passing cloud. 



A number of gannets were busily engaged in 

 fishing, and, from the shoals of flying-fish about, 

 must have enjoyed excellent sport. The frigate 

 birds, (J't achy petes aquila, Vieill.) on the con- 

 trary, hovered over the vessel, viewing with 

 curiosity the expanded sails and progressive 

 motion of the ship, " walking the waters like 

 a thing of life," regarding it, with their usual 

 indolence and aristocracy of manner, instead 

 of fishing like the other industrious birds about 

 them. From all the frigate-birds having white 

 abdomens, and being deficient in the red pouch, 

 I. presume they were females. The bills of the 

 whole of those about the ship were of a dirty 

 white colour, although described in several works 

 of natural history as red. 



On a former voyage, a female of the man-of- 

 war hawk {Trachypetes aquild) was shot off this 

 island from the deck of the ship, from the num- 

 bers which hovered over the vessel. The bird, 

 when struck by the shot, made for the land ; but 

 soon after, as if feeling that it would be unable 

 to reach it, returned, with a wavering flight. 



