2S2 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description Voracity. 



MAN-OF-WAR BIRD, OU FRIGATE, 



SO called, on account of the swiftness of its 

 flight, and its large and spreading wings, is found 

 in most seas, but chiefly in those within the tro- 

 pics: it is, however, often seen about the Cape 

 of Good Hope ; and towards the end of July, 

 these birds collect in great numbers in Kamts- 

 chatka, and the seas which separate that part of 

 Asia from America. In size, the man-of-war is 

 sometimes as large as a swan; its breast is very 

 fleshy, and its general colour is white, the upper 

 parts marked with black lines. The quill- feathers 

 are black; and the tail is rounded, and of a lead 

 colour. The bill is of a pale yellow, and the leg* 

 are flesh-coloured. The cock is quite black* 



These birds are exceedingly voracious, and 

 feed on various species of fish and molluscae. 

 The shoals of flying-fish, -when persecuted by 

 their enemies of the deep, making their appear- 

 ance for a short flight in the air, and suffer 

 greatly from the voracity of these birds. They 

 also often pursue the shoals of salmon into the 

 mouths of the large rivers; and so gorge them- 

 selves as, notwithstanding their otherwise extra- 

 ordinary powers of flight, to be prevented by 

 their weight and consequent stupidity from even 

 rising. 



In the West Indies the appearance of these 

 birds is said to foretel the arrival of ships; which 

 indeed is sometimes true, and arises from a very 



