6.54 



CLASS AVES. 



over, when the frigate, a witness of the capture which they 

 have made of fishes swimming on the surface of the water, 

 rushes upon them with more rapid flight, and attacks them 

 with redoubled blows of its powerful wings and vigorous 

 beak, their cries sufficiently testify the pain and reluctance 

 with which they are forced to yield up their booty to this 

 superior robber. Besides, many mariners speak of the long 

 resistance which often precedes the inevitable issue of such an 

 unequal combat. Catesby, indeed, informs us, that when the 

 frigate precipitates itself upon the booby, the latter plunges 

 under water to escape it, and that on its rising again the 

 other renews the attack, until its victim is exhausted ; but 

 little credit, however, can be attached to this story, when it is 

 remembered that the bird of which we write swims but sel- 

 dom, and has neither the habit, nor, in all probability, the 

 faculty of diving. 



These birds have been met with in every sea, and in every 

 quarter of the globe. They fly with the neck extended, the 

 tail spread out, and the wings almost motionless. Their cry 

 participates of those of the goose and raven. When they 

 perceive fishes on the surface of the water, they dart from 

 above, to seize them. They remove much less from land 

 than the frigates ; and it is generally thought that they retire 

 to desert isles, and rocks covered with a little earth, to pass 

 the night. Nevertheless, according to the testimony of many 

 navigators, no positive conclusion concerning the proximity of 

 land can be dra^^l from their presence. M. Vieillot, in his 

 voyages to America, having observed, that the boobies, at 

 the rising of the sun, were pretty nearly in the same latitudes 

 as at the close of day, concludes that they could not possibly 

 have rested on land, and returned in the intei'val from one 

 twilight to another, and is of opinion that they remain on the 

 sea during the night, at which time he has often heard their 

 cries. 



In many coimtries these birds perch on trees, and, accord- 



