e 
226 The Torture of the Fish-Hawk. [ March, 
tightly upon its body, dropped swiftly after it. The part bitten off 
being disposed of, another swoop downwards was made, the fish 
seized, and the upward swing repeated, and this process continued 
until the entire carcass was devoured. 
At the time of this visit these frigate-birds were oblivious of 
man’s presence and I was so fortunate as to secure this one by a 
well directed shot. It measured eleven feet in alar dimensions 
and weighed eight pounds. Its feet and legs were ridiculously 
small and weak, and viewed as weapons of offense and defense 
could not compare with the talons of the hawk it had robbed 
and terrified. Its head and beak were strong and well developed, 
but by no means superior to those of the other. The terror which 
inspired the hawk was still unaccounted for. In a contest for 
superiority on the ground of physical strength and effectiveness 
of weapons it would have been victorious. The whole case was 
still enveloped in mystery. 
Returning to this locality-after the absence of some weeks I 
found the black outlines of the frigate-birds against the sky as 
usual, and soon saw the inevitable hawk over the waters of the 
pass all excitement at the prospect ofa dinner. It was the begin- 
ning of March, and in that month the sea-breezes of the vicinity 
are particularly delightful. It is also the breeding season of the 
birds when their plumage is at its best, and they show to best ad- 
vantage. Success always followed any well directed effort of a 
bird to catch a fish in Boca Grande pass, and the hawk soon had 
one. A black corsair at once appeared and captured the booty 
as on the former occasion, while the frightened fisher fled scream- 
ing towards the land. But now a change of programme took place. 
Another long winged creature from the group above appeared in 
front of and facing the frightened hawk which turned seaward at 
once, mingling its note of terror with one of despair. Every effort 
to side off towards home was frustrated by the gliding terror in- 
terposing its bulk in the intended direction, until the victim 
seemed to accept the inevitable and made an attempt to cross the 
gulf. The tormenting enemy then seemed content, and swung 
aloft among its companions. The poor fisherman, rid of the dire 
_ presence, wheeled on its course for home, and its frenzied flap- 
_ pings relieved of excessive tension, made very good time, when 
~ On reaching the very brink of safety the black wings again ap- 
_ peared and the whole distressing business was re-enacted with 
