THE tfQBY. 327 



Description Wherefore so called. 



March it is not well known what becomes of 

 these birds. 



The young birds, and the eggs alone are eat- 

 able; the old ones being tough and rancid. 



THE BOOBY. 



THIS bird is about two feet six inches in 

 length. Its bill is nearly four inches and a half 

 long; toothed on the edges, and of a grey colour. 

 A space round the eyes, and on the chin, is 

 naked. The head, neck, upper parts of the body, 

 wings, and tail, are ash-coloured brown ; and 

 the breast, under parts, and thighs, white. The 

 eggs are pale yellow, and the claws grey. 



This and some other species have been deno- 

 minated boobies from their excessive stupidity ; 

 their silly aspect; and their habit of continually 

 shaking their head and shivering when they 

 alight on the ship's yards, or other parts, where 

 they often suffer themselves to be taken by the 

 hand. In their shape and organization they 

 greatly resemble the cormorants. 



The boobies have an enemy of their own tribe, 

 that perpetually harasses them. This is the fri- 

 gate pelican, or man-of-war bird, which rushes 

 upon them, pursues them without intermission, 

 and obliges them, by blows with its wings and 

 bill, to surrender the prey that they have taken, 



