PELECANID^!. 



that Linnjeus named the common species Aquilus. Bonaparte 

 remarks of this genus, 'scarcely Totipalmate, rather the first of the 

 Longipennes.' 1 



- 1000. Attagen aquilus, Link&us. 



Pelecanus apud Linisleos — P. leucocephalus, Gmelin — Gould, 

 Birds of Australia, VII, pi. 71. 



The Frigate Bird. 



Descr. — Adult, entirely glossy-black ; young bird with the head, 

 neck, and lower abdomen white ; the rest of the body glossy- 

 black. 



Length 37 inches ; wing 26 ; tail 15 J. Bill and feet red. 



I received a specimen of this bird, in young plumage , which 

 was shot on the Malabar Coast off Man galore, and believe that it is 

 not unfrequently seen in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. 

 Sundevall states that he observed it but rarely further north than 

 10° N. L. It flies high in circles like a bird of prey arid occasionally 

 plunges into the water after flying-fishes. He further states that 

 "the feet of this bird are more like those of Rapacious than of Nata- 

 torial birds, the membrane being scarcely larger than that found at 

 the base of the toes of many birds of pre} r . The plumage has also 

 a rather anomalous appearance for a water-bird, especially in the 

 feathered tibia. It constitutes a truly transitional form between 

 the Rapacious and Natatorial birds." 



This bird is said to breed on Ascension Island, laying one egg 

 on the ground, which, says Barton (Vide Linn., Trans. XIII., 1), 

 is incubated by the male. 



A second species of Frigate bird is A. minor, Gmel., (ariel, 

 Gould) like the last but much smaller, from Australian seas. 



Fam. PELECANIDiE. 



Bill enormous, with a large mandibular pouch. Of very large 

 size. They chiefly frequent inland lakes and rivers, and form one 

 genus. 



Gen. Pelecanus, Linnaeus. 



Char. — Bill very long, straight, broad and flattened, the tip 

 well hooked ; nostrils concealed in a long groove extending the 



