FREGATID.'E — THE FRIGATE PELICANS — FREG AT A. 120 



race of the same species. Four adult examples in the National Museum measure as follows : 

 Wing, 21.25-25.25 (22. 5()) inches; tail, 15.75-17.10 (16.27) ; culmen, 3.G5-4.10 (li.fJO) : longest 

 toe, 1.65-2.10 (1.92). 



The " Frigate-bird," '' Frigate Pelican," and " Man-of- War's Bird," a.s tlii.s .species is 

 variously called, lias a tropical habitat both on the Pacifo and Atlantic shores of 

 Southern North America, Mexico, Central and South America, and all the islands in 

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

 wanders occasionally ; but its area of 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 

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

 seca, on the Pacific coast of Honduras. The island which he visited was about an 

 acre 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 

 by the Frigate-birds; and nearly every tree and bush — both high and low — was 

 covered with their nests, which were 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 

 quite fresh, while others had been incubated for several days. Many 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 poking them with the gun, had little 

 effect ; the birds merely snapped their bills in token of their indignation. Mr. (t. 

 C. 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 manner as the Pelicans ; but according to his observations, instead of entering 

 the water, they stop short on reaching its edge, and seize their prey with the beak, 

 almost without causing the slightest ripple, ascending again with a heavy flapping of 

 their long wings. In their flight and in their general appearance they resemble large 

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

 the sky. 



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

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

 the wing inflates to the size of an ostrich egg. 



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

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

 birds suspended in the sky above, with no perceptible motion of the wings. At one 

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

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

 said to fly quite low, and even to settle on the ground ; and hence is derived the name 

 " Hurricane Bird," which is one of the appellations by which they are commonly 

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

 weather. 



Mr. E. C. Taylor, in his visit to the Windward Islands, repeatedly enjoyed ojipor- 

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

 high up in the air. He did not see it attack other birds, for the purpose of robbing 

 them of their prey ; but, on the other hand, he did see it plunging into the sea; as if 

 fishing on its own account. 



VOL. II. — 17 



