FRIGATE BIRD. Atagen Aquila. 



of their wings. Owing to the enormous comparative size of the pectoral muscles, which 

 are so large as to weigh nearly one-fourth as much as the whole body of the bird, they are 

 capable of sustaining very long flights. From the formation of their feet they are 

 incapable of alighting and resting upon the surface of the water ; and as they are seen at 

 great distances from the land, they must possess immense power of wing to enable them 

 to sustain such prolonged exertion without repose. 



We find accordingly that the whole structure of this elegant bird is adapted to a 

 rapidity of flight surpassing that of all others. It has the power of soaring to so great an 

 elevation in the air as to appear a mere speck in the regions above ; and when seen 

 hovering over the ship, adorned with its beautiful glossy plumage, it attracts attention by 

 its noble bearing and graceful evolutions as it sails in gentle undulations in mid-air, or by 

 its rapidity of motion when darting upon its prey. This bird, being incapable of swim- 

 ming and diving, may generally be seen on the alert for flying fish when they are started 

 into the air by albicores or bonitos, and when unsuccessful it is compelled to resort to a 

 system of plundering other sea-birds. The quiet and industrious birds, the gannets and 

 sea-swallows, are generally selected as objects of attack, and on returning to their haunts 

 to feed their young brood, after having been out fishing all day, are stopped in mid-air by 

 the marauding Frigate Bird, and compelled to deliver up some of their prey, which being 

 disgorged by them, is most dexterously caught by the plunderer before it reaches the 

 water. 



The gannets can well afford to be relieved of some of their booty, as they are often 

 seen so full of fish as to be unable to close their beaks. When the Frigate Bird attacks 

 the gannet, it attains its object by hovering over the victim, and then, darting rapidly 

 down, strikes it upon the back of the head. Their usual mode of fishing, however, is 

 generally more quiet. It is not uncommon to observe a single gannet selected from a 

 flock as the object of attack, while the rest in the meantime continue their heavy flight 

 towards land. 



It sometimes happens, however, that a spirit of independence rouses even the dull 

 gannet to a determination of resisting the plunderer. It manoeuvres to avoid the blow 

 of the enemy by darting about, dropping from its elevation in the air, raising the beak in 



