166 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 



The Great Frigate-bird. 



Fregata aquila. 



Tropical and Sub-tropical oceans of both Hemispheres. 



General colour black; feathers of the head, upper back, and scapulars 

 elongate and pointed, with a greenish gloss; the female has the back of 

 the neck dark brown and underparts white; bill purplish blue, white in 

 the middle; gular pouch orange. Total length 40 inches, culmen 3.8, 

 wing 20.5 to 25.8, tail 14, tarsus 0.7. 



Nest, a considerable structure of twigs, &c., built either on the 

 ground or on shrubs, ledges of rock, &c., and usually on islands. 

 One egg is laid, chalky-white in colour, and measures about 2.75 

 X 1.82 inch. 



This bird is sometimes called the Man-of-war bird. It 

 secures its prey from what other birds have secured, by making 

 them drop their fish in mid air, when it catches it before 

 reaching the water. They have long wings and long slender bills, 

 as well as a kind of pouch hanging down in front. 



The Lesser Frigate-bird. 



Fregata ariel. 



Tropical parts of Indian and Pacific Oceans. 



Very similar to preceding species but smaller; has a large white 

 patch on each flank; female has a wide white collar round the neek. 

 Total length 30 inches, culmen 2.6, wing 19.2-21, tail 11-13.3, tarsus 0.75. 



Nest composed of twigs, seaweed, &c., and placed either on 

 the ground or on vegetation, usually on islands. The single 

 egg is white, and measures from 2.63 to 2.26 in length, and from 

 1.75 to 1.50 in breadth. 



This bird has the same plundering habit as the preceding 

 species and the same great powers of flight. 



Family FhaetJionidce. 

 Webs slightly emarginate. ilid tail feathers greatly 

 produced. Bill compressed, pointed. 



Genus Phaethon. 

 The Red-tailed Tropic-bird. 



Phaethon ruhricauda. 

 Tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. 



General colour white, with a pink tinge; a black band on the sides 

 of the head; short black band on the wing; middle tail-feathers very 



