852 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



those fishes abound, and that it does not plunge into the water for 

 its food like S. bassana. It is known to breed on Ascension 

 Island, which is hence called by some of our sailors Booby Fair. 



/S. parva, Gmel., is given by Bonaparte as another species of 

 restricted Dysporus. The next bird is the type of Piscatrix of 

 Reichenbach. 



999. Sula piscator, Linn^us. 



Pelecanus apud Linnaeus — Blyth, Cat. 1739— Gould, Birds 

 of Australia, VII, pi. 79 — S. Candida, Brisson. 



The White Booby. 



Descr. — White, the rump and upper tail-coverts slightly mottled 

 with dusky ; and the wings and tail dusky-black. 



Bill and feet red. Length 26 to 27 inches ; wing 15 to 16| ; 

 tail 7| to 8; bill at front 3f to 3 T 7 n ; middle toe 3 T 6 <j to 3|; tarsus 2. 



Occasionally seen in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. 



To restricted Sula (and if Mr. Blyth's surmise above noted be 

 correct, the distinction extends to the habits) belongs the well 

 known S. bassana, or Solan Goose ; also S. australis, and S. 

 personata, Gould, with two or three other species. 



Fam. Attagenid^e. 



This family comprises only one genus, with two known species. 



Gen. Attagen, Mcehring. 



Syn. Fregata, Cuvier, Tachypetes, Illiger. 



Char. — Bill long, much hooked at the tip, both mandibles 

 being well bent downwards ; wings very long ; tail long, forked ; 

 tarsus short, partially feathered ; feet small ; web slightly deve- 

 loped ; claws short, curved. 



The Frigate birds have their wings very highly developed and 

 live almost entirely in the air, taking their prey on the wing, 

 pouncing on flying-fishes as they rise from the water, and also pur- 

 suing Boobies and other birds till they disgorge or drop their prey, 

 which they dexterously seize before it reaches the water. Their 

 form and habits so much resemble those of some of the Raptores, 



