48 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



one old bird, which was sitting by a well-grown 

 youngster, took so little interest in our proceedings 

 that we found it necessary to wake it up in order 

 to take its portrait. 



High overhead a number of frigate birds were 

 circling. Every now and again one would plunge 

 downwards and chase a gannet which, slowly 

 flapping up from the sea, was bearing a mouthful 

 of food to its young on the hillside. 



These frigate birds, of which there are two 

 species on South Trinidad, get their food chiefly 

 by robbing the gannets. Woe betide the gannet, 

 as it slowly wends its way to its nest and young, 

 if it is spied by a frigate bird. The robber at once 

 hurls itself on its victim, and the gannet, terrified 

 at the attack of a bird so much larger than 

 itself, drops from its mouth and throat all the 

 fish which it has been at such pains to catch. 

 The frigate bird then swoops down and, catching 

 up the fallen fish before it reaches the ground 

 or sea, makes off and swallows the stolen food at 

 leisure. 



Frigate birds, however, do not always rely on 

 this method of getting a meal. I have frequently 

 seen them catching fish for themselves, and 

 plunging into the water somewhat after the manner 

 of a tern. I have also seen them feeding on the 

 remains of a shark which had been killed and 

 thrown overboard. 



The commoner of the two frigate birds on South 



