TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS Order Steganopodes 



TROPIC BIRD Family Phsethontidse 



YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD 



112. Phcethon americanus. 30 to 34 in. 



Form tern-like, but with the central tail feathers 

 much lengthened (about 18 in.) ; legs short and not 

 very strong; all four toes connected by webs. 



These beautiful creatures fly with the ease and grace 

 of a tern, but with more rapid beating of the wings. 

 They are strong and capable of protracted flight, often 

 being found hundreds of miles from land. They feed 

 upon small fish which they capture by diving upon 

 from a height above the water, and upon snails, etc., 

 gig that they get from the beaches and ledges. They are 

 I very buoyant, and sit high in the water with their' tails 

 elevated to keep them from getting wet. 



Nest. A mass .of weeds and seaweed placed upon 



I rocky ledges. The single egg that they lay is creamy, 



HB9i so thickly sprinkled and dotted with purplish brown as 



to obscure the ground color. (2.10x1.45). 



. . Range. Breeds north to the Bahamas and Bermudas. 



