DESCRIPTIVE LIST 53 



The Man-o'-war Bird, or Frigate Bird, is one of the most marvelous flyers in the 

 world. With an expanse of wings of over seven feet, it sweeps the seas far and 

 wide in quest of food, or for mere diversion. Its flight is graceful beyond descrip- 

 tion, and at times it will hang long in the teeth of a gale, or falling off before it 

 with scarcely a perceptible motion of the wing will sweep down to the surface of 

 the ocean as a swallow skims a summer millpond. Its food consists of fish, which 

 it not only captures itself, but at times secures by pursuing various sea-birds and 

 causing them to disgorge their recently caught prey. 



On July 5, 1899, Pearson obtained a specimen in Pamlico Sound near Ocracoke 

 Inlet. It was a splendid young male, measuring between wing-tips seven feet and 

 seven inches. Its mounted skin is now preserved in the State Museum at Raleigh. 

 This is our first North Carolina record of the Man-o'-war Bird. Our only other 

 record follows. 



Extract of letter from Russell J. Coles, Danville, Va., to Mr. John T. Nichols, 

 American Museum of Natural History, New York City : 



"On July 10th, 1917, I and members of my crew watched for some time a Man- 

 o'-war Bird attempting to fly against a heavy wind squall. The bird appeared 

 very much exhausted as it came in from the sea against the wind, and again and 

 again it was beaten back, and it appeared that it wished to light on the boat and 

 at last, when it appeared that it was about to do so, when one of my crew struck at 

 it and in dodging the blow, the bird fell in the sea along-side and was lifted into the 

 boat. I kept it on board for half a day, and although at first, it was too weak to 

 show the usual aggressive spirit of its species, yet when it became rested, it became 

 very pugnacious and struck at all who approached it with beak and wings. Finally, 

 I released it after measuring and photographing, and it flew away to the south. 

 From tip to tip of wings, it measured 7 feet, 4 inches." This incident occurred 

 near Cape Lookout. 



V. ORDER ANSERES. LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS 



13. FAMILY ANATID>. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



"We now come to a group of birds which excites in the naturalist, sportsman, 

 and the general public a greater degree of interest, perhaps, than any other. 



"A wedge of Wild Geese steadily winging its way through the upper air currents 

 in spring or fall, the sudden noisy rise of a beautiful male Wood Duck as the angler 

 quietly works his way up a woodland stream, a raft of sea-ducks seen on sound, 

 estuary, or at sea, the evening flight of Mallard or Black Duck from river to pond 

 all these, and more, are experiences at times vouchsafed to those who love the out- 

 doors and frequent the silent places. To those who have opportunities, however 

 small, to seek these denizens of the water and marsh with gun and game bag, 

 nothing else in the way of hunting with firearms can quite equal the joy of wild- 

 fowling. 



"In certain sections of North Carolina we are greatly favored with opportunities 

 for experiences with ducks, geese, and swans. Currituck Sound supports during the 

 winter months more wildfowl, perhaps, than any other equal area in eastern North 



