358 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



Both Dr. Pickering and Mr. Peale mention having seen living spe- 

 cimens of this fine species in confinement at Singapore. It appears 

 to be abundant on the coasts of Asia and the Asiatic Islands. 



2. Genus TACHYPETBS, Vieill. Analyse, p. 63 (1816). 



1. Tachypetes aquila {Linn.). — The Frigate Pelican. 

 The Man-of-War Bird. 



Pelecanus Aquilus, LiNN. Sjst. Nat. I, p. 216 (1766). 



Buff. PL Enl. 961; Spix. Av. Bras. II, Plate CV; Vieill. Gal. II, 

 Plate CCLXXIV; Aud. B. of Am. Plate CCLXXI; octavo ed. VII. 

 Plate CCCCXXI. 



Though no specimen of this species is in the collection, it is fre- 

 quently mentioned by the naturalists attached to the Expedition. 



This species is that which is found on the shores of the Atlantic 

 Ocean, from the coasts of the Southern United States and of the West 

 Indies, thence throughout the entire extent of South America to Cape 

 Horn. Its further range is yet undetermined ; the species which is 

 the subject of our next article, having universally but erroneously been 

 regarded as identical with the present bird by modern ornithologists 

 and voyagers. 



The bird now before us is the largest of the species of this genus, 

 and may readily be distinguished from others by this character, though 

 in general form and in colors, there is almost complete similarity. In 

 this bird the primary quills and feathers of the tail are remarkably 

 wide, and the shafts strong. 



Dr. Pickering notices the bird now before us, as numerous at Rio 

 de Janeiro. He observes : " This bird is common all over the Bay, 

 presenting the appearance of a gigantic swallow, sailing leisurely around 

 at no great height, occasionally flapping its wings, and sometimes 

 descending not very gracefully, to pick up objects attracting its atten- 

 tion on the surface of the water. It was by no means shy nor difficult 

 to procure, and would frequently come down in the midst of the ship- 

 ping lying at anchor, but would rise again immediately. It was not 

 seen here outside of the Bay of Rio de Janeiro, on any occasion." 



