80 FRIGATE BIRDS. 



Common on inland waters where it sits 

 upright on trees which project over the wa- 

 ter. When suddenly alarmed, drops into the 

 water and instantly disappears. Has the pow- 

 er of sinking slowly and swims beneath the 

 surface with ease and swiftness, thus captur- 

 ing the fishes upon which it feeds. Sometimes 

 plunges obliquely into the water when on 

 the wing and can emerge in flight. Often 

 swims with the head and neck projecting 

 above the surface, or even with the bill only 

 in sight. Cry, seldom given, gutteral and 

 harsh. 



FRIGATE BIRDS. 



Coast- wise birds of large size and power- 

 ful flight ; bill, longer than head and strong- 

 ly hooked ; head, large and somewhat crest- 

 ed ; gula sac, rather large ; neck, short ; wings 

 and tail long, the latter deeply forked; feet, 

 small and weak, but although the birds perch 

 well on trees, they are incapable of walking 

 and swimming well. Nests and eggs, much 

 as in the Cormorants. Young, naked at first. 



