326 THE OCEAN. 
mon Gannet; neither is it a sufficient explanation 
to affirm, as is sometimes done, that it arises from 
a peculiar difficulty in rising to flight after alight- 
ing, because it is not unfrequently caught in the air 
by the hand; so incautiously does it approach man. 
Notwithstanding this apparent stupidity, the Booby 
is a dexterous fisher: hovering over a shoal of fishes, 
he eagerly watches their motions, turning his head 
from side to side in a very ludicrous manner; he 
presently sees one of the unwary group approach 
the surface; down he pounces like a stone, plunging 
into the wave, which boils into foam with the shock. 
Nor fails he to seize the scaly victim, with which 
he emerges into the air, and soon it is lodged 
whole in his capacious stomach. But the Frigate- 
bird (Zachypetes aguilus) has watched the proceeding, 
and instantly betakes himself to the pursuit; flight 
is vain from the swiftest ranger of the Ocean, whose 
extended wings measure a width of seven feet. The 
Frigate-bird swooping down upon the unfortunate 
Booby, compels him to disgorge the fish which he 
has just swallowed, and which, long ere it can reach 
the water, is seized, and again devoured by the op- 
pressor. 
The Frigate-bird neither swims nor dives; the 
seamen fully believe that it even sleeps upon the 
wing; whether this be so or not, there is good 
evidence that the same individuals will remain in 
the air for several successive days: they are never 
known to alight on a vessel. Though the chase of 
the Booby is so usual as to be considered one of 
its constant means of dependence, yet it also fishes 
