446 TROPIC BIRD. 



the eye a black crescent, as in the other, and the scapulars, like that, 

 marked with black ; legs yellowish ; base of the toes the same ; the 

 rest of the length, the webs, and claws, black. — Found in various 

 places, with the other, of which it appears to be a Variety. 



B. — Leptuius fulvus, Bris. vi. 489. Id. 8vo. ii. 488. Lid. Orn. ii. 894. y. Gen. 

 Syn. vi. 619. 1. B. 



This is a further Variety, and differs merely in having the plu- 

 mage of a yellowish white, instead of being of a pure silvery hue. 

 These differences may perhaps arise merely from age, if not the 

 distinguishing mark of sex. 



2.— BLACK-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. 



Phaeton melanorhynchos, hid. Orn. ii. 894. Gm. Lin. i. 582. 

 Black-billed Tropic Bird, Gen. Syn. vi. 619. 



THIS is smaller than either of the former; length nineteen 

 inches and a half. Bill three inches long, greatly compressed on 

 the sides, and black ; plumage on the upper part of the body and 

 wings interruptedly striated black and white; before the eye a large 

 crescent of black ; behind it a streak of the same ; the forehead and 

 all the under parts of the body pure white ; the quills and tail 

 marked as the upper parts, but the ends of the first are white; and 

 most of the feathers of the last dusky black at the tips; sides over 

 the thighs striated black and white ; legs black. 



It was found at Turtle and Palmerslon Islands, in the South 

 Seas. — Sir Joseph Banks. 



This had before the eye a large black patch passing over it, 

 divided into two behind, and bending downwards. 



