Order ANSERES.] [Fam. PELECANIDJE. 



FKEGATA MINOR 



(SMALL FRIGATE BIRD.) 



Lesser Frigate Pelican, Lath. Gen. Syn. ii. pt. 2, p. 590 (1785). 



Pelecanus minor, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 572 (1788). 



Tachypetes minor, Vieill. N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. xii. p. 144 (1817). 



Atagen ariel, Gray, Gen. of B. iii. p. 669, pi. 104 (1845, ex Gould MSS.). 



Spec, nigricans, plus minusve purpureo et viridi nitens : dorsi plumis elongatis lanceolatis ct pectorc 

 laterali nitide viridibus aut purpiu'ascentibus : tectricibus alarum cum bypochondriis brunneo tinctis : 

 remigibus caudaque nigris, scapis rectricum exteriorum albis : rostro nigricanti-cano : plaga gulari 

 laete rubra, flavo tincta : pedibus brunnescenti-rubris : iride nigra. 



Example. General plumage black with bluish metalbc reflections, more or less distinct ; the long lanceolate 

 feathers of the back and on the sides of the breast brilliant, and changing from purple to green, 

 according to the light ; upper wing-coverts and sides of the body tinged with brown ; quills and tail- 

 feathers black, the shafts of the outermost tail-feathers white. Irides black ; bill blackish grey ; 

 a bare membrane, an inch wide, and extending five inches down the throat, bright red tinged more or 

 less with yellow; feet brownish red. Total length 36 inches ; wing, from flexure, 23 ; tail, to middle 

 of fork 7 - 25, to end of lateral feathers 15 ; bill, along the ridge 4 - 25, along the edge of lower mandible 

 3"6 ; greatest width of bill at the base 1 - 1 ; middle toe and claw 2 - 75 ; hind toe and claw 1. 



This smaller species of Frigate bird, which roams over the seas washing the shores of the more 

 tropical parts of Australia, has occurred at least once as a straggler on the New-Zealand coast, 

 and is therefore entitled to a place in our list. A fine adult male was taken on the Wakapuaka 

 beach in the early part of 1861 ; and the skin, which was fortunately preserved, now forms part 

 of the collection of birds in the Nelson Museum. 



Mr. Gould states that this species of Frigate bird is very abundant in Torres Strait ; and 

 the late Commander Ince, R.N., who, during the voyage of H.M.S. 'Fly' was for some time 

 stationed on Eaine's Islet, superintending the erection of a beacon there, has given the following 

 interesting particulars as the result of his own observations on this unfrequented rock : — " We 

 found this bird breeding in colonies at its S.W. corner, the nest being composed of a few small 

 sticks collected from the shrubs and herbaceous plants, which alone clothe the island, and placed 

 either on the ground or on the plants a few inches above it. The eggs, which are generally one, 

 but occasionally two in number, are of a pure white, not so chalky in appearance as those of the 

 Gannet, and nearly of the same shape at both ends. Upon one occasion I killed the old birds 

 from a nest that contained a young one ; on visiting the spot I found the young bird removed to 



