EXPLANATORY INDEX. 411 



disputed point of its capacity to alter its course in the air^ or 

 to extend its flight hy flapping its wing-like fins. C. Kingsley, 

 however, believes from personal observations, that it can do 

 both. 



" The flying-fish now began to be a source of continual 

 amuseni€nt, as they scuttled away from under the bows of 

 the ship, mistaking her, probably, for some huge devouring 

 whale. So strange are they when first seen, though long 

 read of and long looked for, that it is difficult to recollect that 

 they are actually fish. The first little one was mistaken for 

 a dragon-fly, the first big one for a grey plover. 



" The flight is almost exactly like that of a quail or part- 

 ridge-flight, I must say ; for, in spite of all that has been 

 learnedly written to the contrary, it was too difficult as yet 

 for the English sportsmen on board to believe that their 

 motion was not a true flight, aided by the vibration of the 

 wings, and not a mere impulse given (as in the leap of the 

 salmon) by a rush under water. 



"That they can change their coiu-se at will is plain to one 

 who looks down on them from the lofty deck, and still more 

 from the paddle-box. The length of the flight seems too great 

 to be attributed to a few strokes of the tail ; while the plain 

 fact that they renew their flight after touching, and only 

 touching, the surface, would seem to show that it was not due 

 only to the original impetus, for that would be retarded, 

 instead of being quickened, every time they touched. Such 

 were our first impressions ; and they were confirmed by what 

 we saw on the voyage home." 



I think that this statement from a good natujralist and 

 keen sportsman, such as was Kingsley, settles the question of 

 flight. I doubt, however, whether the fish dip into the sea for 

 the purpose of wetting their wings, as suggested by "Waterton. 

 Perhaps their flight may be like that of the short-winged 

 birds, and consist of alternate dippings and risings. 



Frigate Bied {Attagen aquila). — This really wonderful 

 bird seems mostly to be composed of feathers, the body 



