( !<> ) 

 I'he Bill of the Man of War Bird, 



LXXXI. 



T is alfo called the Albitrofs\ the Scull is four Inches long, and four 

 and a quarter high ; the length of the Bill feven, two and a half high, 

 and one and a half broad: the upper Beak is hollow and compofed 

 of fix Bones, the uppermoft whereof is four Inches and a half long, above 

 half an Inch high, and convex; the middlemoft on each fide are alfo four 

 Inches long, and about one eighth of an Inch thick ; the lowermoft above 

 V five Inches long and three quarters thick; their Edges are furrowed witfi 

 oblique and deep Grooves both before and behind ; all thefe five Bones are 

 rcfimated or bended upward with fome refemblance to a Saddle; the 

 :fixth is a wonderful ftrong Bone, crooked exadly like the Bill of a Par- 

 rot-, and hollow; by the Bow almoft three Inches, and near an Inch 

 oyer. Its Edges are very keen and ftanding out with two fharp or pointed 

 Angleg. The Noftrils are three quarters of an Inch long, and almoft 

 two Inches before the Eyes. The nether Beak is compofed of three Bones, 

 the two hinder four Inches long, near an Inch high, and bended anfwer- 

 able to thofe of the upper Beak. Their Edges are cut with deep Furrows: 

 The third at the end of the Beak is hollow, above an Inch long, and 

 near as high : Its Edges are fharp and hard, and exceedingly convex or 

 bended downward ; underneath a round and fharp Pin grows out from 

 it in a level towards the Scull, near an Inch and a half long ; the Shape 

 of its Bill fhews it to be a Bird of Prey living moflly on Fifh, which it 

 takes from the Bird called the Boohy^ who is very dextrous in catching 

 the Flying Fijh^ when hunted or chafed by the Dolphms ; as foon as the 

 Boo6y has taken fome of them, the Ma72 of War comes down with 

 great Swiftnefs upon him, the other Bird immediately difgorges the Fifh, 

 which the Man of War catches before it falls into the Water: This I 

 have feen them do often when I was in the Indian Seas, This Bill I 

 had from Dr. Douglas.. 



Tht 



