, BAHAMA BIRDS. 261 



placed on the tops of prickly pears, which covered the ground 

 with an almost impenetrable thicket. * * * j j^.-^yg visited 

 the breeding places of many sea birds before, and some well worth 

 the trouble, but none so interesting to me as this. It was a most 

 singular spectacle; thousands and thousands of these great, and 

 ordinarily wild birds, covered the whole surface of the i^rickly 

 pears as they sat on their nests, or darkened the air as they 

 hovered over them, so tame that they would hardly move on 

 being touched. * * * Incubation is carried on by both male 

 and females. * * * Its food is principally derived from the 

 Booby, whom they rob as the Bald Eagle does the Fish Hawk. 

 Why the Booby should submit to this, being much more power- 

 ful, and armed with a most formidable bill, is strange." He 

 watched them for hours, but never saw them catch a fish. "While 

 quite tame during the breeding season, it is shy and suspicious 

 at other times. 



TROPIC BIRDS. 



Tropic Bird. It is called by the inhabitants Egg Bird. An 

 "elegant and graceful species, and in summer abundant. Its 

 flight is hurried and rapid, resembling that of the duck more 

 than that of the gull. They closely resemble the Terns in their 

 habits and appearance. " Mr. Bryant says that they breed in holes 

 in the horizontal and perpendicular surfaces of the rock, which 

 are often so winding that, though their harsh notes can be heard, 

 they can only be procured by demolishing the rock. 



GULLS, TERNS. 



Lmigliing Gxdl. It is abundant throughout the Bahamas 

 after April. About the time the Avinter visitors leave Nassau, it 

 may be daily seen in Kassau harbor. 



