BAHAMA BIRDS. 261 
placed on the tops of prickly pears, which covered the ground 
with an almost impenetrable thicket. * * * I have visited 
the breeding places of many sea birds before, and some well worth 
the trouble, but none so interesting to meas this. It was a most 
singular spectacle; thousands and thousands of these great, and 
ordinarily wild birds, covered the whole surface of the prickly 
pears as they sat on their nests, or darkened the air as they 
hovered over them, so tame that they would hardly move on 
being touched. * * * Incubation is carried on by both male 
and females. * * * Its food is principally derived from the 
Booby, whom they rob as the Bald Eagle does the Fish Hawk. 
Why the Booby should submit to this, being much more power- 
ful, and armed with a most formidable bill, is strange.” He — 
watched them for hours, but never saw themcatch afish. While 
quite tame during the breeding Rea Hs it is shy and suspicious 
at other times. 
TROPIC BIRDS. 
Tropic Bird. It is called by the inhabitants Egg Bird. An 
“elegant and graceful species, and in summer abundant. Its 
flight is hurried and rapid, resembling that of the duck more 
than that of the gull. They closely resemble the Terns in their 
habits and appearance.” Mr. Bryant says that they breed in holes 
in the horizontal and perpendicular surfaces of the rock, which 
are often so winding that, though their harsh notes can be heard, 
they can only be procured by demolishing the rock. 
GULLS, TERNS. 
Laughing Gull. It is abundant throughout the Bahamas 
after April. About the time the winter visitors leave Nassau, it 
may be daily seen in Nassau harbor. 
