FREGATID.E — THE FRIGATE PELICANS — FREGATA. 



129 



ncx: of the .same species. Four adult exiimi)les in the National Museum measure as follows : 

 Whif,', 21.25-25.25 (22.5(i) inches ; tail, 15.75-17.10 (16.27) ; culmen, 3.05-4.10 (3.90) ; longest 

 t.m, 1.65-2.10 (1.92). 



The " Frigate-bird," " Frigate Pelican," and " IVIan-of-War's Bird," as this species is 

 variously called, has a tropical habitat both on the Pacific and Atlantic shores of 

 Southern North America, Mexico, Central and 8outh America, and all the islands in 

 hotli oceans between the parallels of 30° north and south. Beyond these limits it 

 wanders occasionally ; but its area bf reproduction is chiefly limited to the region 

 between the tropics. 



Mr. Salvin met with this species both on the Pacific and on the Atlantic coast of 

 CV'utral America ; and Mr. G. C. Taylor obtained its eggs, in 1858, in the Bay of Fon- 

 seea, on the Pacific coast of Honduras. Tlie island which he visited was about an 

 u(!re in extent ; and its surface, which had an elevation of forty feet above the sea- 

 level, was covered with long grass, scattered trees, and low shrubs, with a belt of 

 mangroves growing at about high-water mark. This whole island was appropriated 

 l)y the Frigate-birds; and nearly every tree and bush — both high and low — was 

 covered with their nests, which Avere made by laying a few sticks crossways. Each 

 nest contained a single egg, of a chalky whiteness, measuring 2.75 inches in length, 

 by 1.35 in breadth. At the time of his visit — January 1 — some of the eggs were 

 (juite fresh, while others had been incubated for several days. IMany of the nests 

 were on the mangrove-bushes growing just above high-water mark. Some of the birds 

 were sitting on their nests, and others were perched upon the branches. It was found 

 nearly impossible to induce the birds to leave their nests. Shouting and throwing 

 stones at them, discharging guns, and even ])oking them with the gun, had little 

 elTeet ; the birds merely snapped their bills in token of their indignation. Mr. G. 

 <'. Taylor subsequently found these birds very plentiful in Fonseca Bay, as also on 

 the coast, in all parts of the western tropics. They have been said to fish in the 

 same nmnner as the Pelicans ; but according to his observations, instead of entering 

 the water, they stop short on reaching its edge, and seize their \)vey with the beak, 

 almost without causing the slightest ripjde, tascending again with a heavy flapping of 

 their long wings. In their flight cand in their geiu>ral apjx'arance they resend)le large 

 lUaek Terns. They soar to an immense height, often appearing as mere specks in 

 tlie sky. 



Three different kinds of plumage were noticed ; namely, the male, the female, and 

 tlie immature dress. The males had a bright scarlet pouch, Avliich the bird when on 

 the wing inflates to tin; size of an ostrich egg. 



Individuals of this species were observed by Professor Newton about St. Croix, 

 soaring at a great height. It was .a beautiful sight to watch one or more of these 

 liirds suspended in the sky above, with no perceptiide nn)tion of the wings. At one 

 tinu' the deeply forked tail was seen to be open ; at another it was folded into a 

 wedge-like shajje ; but the bird seemed to remain immovable. Before a gale they are 

 said to fly quite low, an<l even to settle on the ground ; and hence is derived tlit^ name 

 "Hurricane Bird," which is one of the a])pellations by whi(di they are commonly 

 known in the West Indies, their appearance being regarded as a prognostic of bad 

 Aseathcr. 



Mr. E. C. Taylor, in his visit to the Windward Islands, repeatedly enjoyed ('])por- 

 tunities of observing this species. He describes it as being very graceful, snaring 

 hii^'h u]) in the air. He did not see it attack other birds, for the purimse of robbing 

 tliem 01 their prey ; but, on th(^ other hand, he did see it })lunging into the sea, as if 

 fishing on its own account, 

 vol,. II. — 17 



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