444 TROPIC BIRD. 



dusky and white mixed; the tail consists of fourteen feathers, twelve 

 of which are of a moderate length, the longest about five inches and 

 a half long, and shorter as they proceed outwards, hence the shape 

 of these is cuneiform ; but the two middle ones measure above 

 twenty inches, and finish in a point; the colour of all of them white, 

 except the long ones; which are black for one-fourth from the base; 

 legs dusky yellow ; claws black. 



The name given to this Genus arises from being found chiefly 

 within the tropics, with very few exceptions ; but we are not to con- 

 clude, that they never stray voluntarily, or are driven beyond them, 

 for we have met with a few instances to prove the contrary.* It is 

 however, so generally seen within the tropical limits, that the sight 

 of this bird is alone sufficient to inform the mariner of a very near 

 approach to them, if not his entrance therein. It has also been thought 

 to portend the contiguity of land ;f but this has often proved falla- 

 cious, as it is not unfrequently found at great distances therefrom. 

 The flight of this bird is often to a prodigious height ; but at other 

 times is seen, with the Frigates, Boobies, and other birds, attending 

 the flying fishes, when they rise from the water, driven from their 

 native element into the air, from their enemies beneath, as the 

 Shark, J a Porpoise, b Albicore, c Bonito, d and Dolphin, e which pursue 

 and prey upon them. These birds are sometimes observed to rest on 



* Dr. Forster observes, that they are never seen beyond 28 degrees of latitude ; but 

 others talk of their spreading far beyond it. In lat. 34. 45. — Ellis's Narr. ii. p. 64. 33. 

 10. N.— Cook's last Voy. iii. 178. In 38. 34. S.— Park. Voy. 132. In 38. 29. S.—Hawkes. 

 Voy. iii. p. 77. This is mentioned as not being common ; but Kalm says, he saw them in 

 40 deg. N.— See Trav. i. p. 22. And a friend of mine assured me, that he once saw one in 

 lat. 47§. N.; but at the same time observed, that it was the first instance he had known of 

 the circumstance. 



f Ulloa's Voy. ii. 301. He says seldom above eight or ten leagues from land. 



J a Squalus Conductor, b Delphinus Phocoena, c Scomber Thynnus, d Scomber Pel- 

 amis, e Coryphaena hippuris. — See Phil. Trans. Ixviii. p. 800. It is there observed that 

 the Flying Fish is able to fly 60 or more yards at one stretch, and repeat it a second, or 

 even a third time, with only the slightest momentary touch of the surface that can be 

 conceived intervening ; and it is common in these flights for them to fly against ships, or 

 fall on the deck. 



