24 AT SEA. 



and Sea-swallows. They have a long, pointed, and strong 

 bill, slightly curved at the end, and denticulate on its edges, 

 short feet, the toes all united by a membrane, like all the 

 Palmipedes ; the wings are narrow and very long, the tail is 

 short, but with two middle feathers very narrow and long, in 

 consequence of which sailors usually call them " Boatswain 

 bird.'^ The Phaetons, or Tropic birds, are Oceanic birds, 

 and are generally met with far out at sea flying very high and 

 very rapidly. They feed on fish, and are especially fond of 

 flying-fish. They breed on the most unfrequented islands, 

 and place their nests in the most inaccessible concavities of 

 rocks. 



The Frigate bird belongs to the order of Steganopodes, 

 and to the family of Pelecanidae. The sub-family Atageninae 

 has been made for the two species known -.—Atagen aquilus 

 and minor ; but I am of opinion that they ought to be 

 separated from the true Pelicans, and united with Graculus^inà 

 other allied genera, under the family name of GracULIDAE. 

 They have also been named Tachypetes and Fregata by various 

 authors ; the last name was given to them in consequence of 

 the rapidity of their flight, from which the vulgar name of 

 Man of war has also been bestowed on the bird. Atagen 

 aquilus, the species seen by us, is found in all the tropical 

 seas. It is entirely black, glossed with green and blue on the 

 back of the neck. It has a red pouch of a good size. The 

 body is light, the size of its wings immense in proportion, 

 its tail long and much forked, so that it possesses not only 

 great rapidity of flight, but can maintain it for a very long 

 time ; its bill is longer than the head and hooked at the tip, 

 the feet are membranous. 



The Frigate bird is very voracious, and is met far out at 

 sea. It feeds on fish, and it has the very curious habit of 

 attacking the gulls until these birds disgorge the fish they have 

 captured, which is immediately swallowed by its persecutor. 

 It is a very interesting and amusing sight. When flying high, 

 and gliding apparantly motionless in the air, it has the 

 appearance of a kite. Its sight is very keen. It builds its nests 

 on rocks, high cliffs, or lofty trees in uninhabited islands. 

 The eggs are of a carnation colour, dotted with crimson. 



On the 30th, we saw large quantities of birds — phaetons, 

 frigates, gulls, and others, all of them feeding on flying fish, 

 which were very abundant. Not only birds were persecuting 

 these fishes, but also larger species of fish, principally dolphins 

 and bonitos. 



