GENUS PHAETON (Linn.) 



MEMBERS of this genus, known as the Tropic-Birds, inhabit only the torrid zone. They are but 

 rarely seen beyond the twenty-first parallel of south latitude ; from the fact of their frequenting 

 only the regions of greatest heat, they received the distinctive title of PhaethonidcB, after the mythical 

 controller of the sun's course. They have been divided into three species, which are placed in as many 

 genera, namely. Phaeton, Lepturxs, and PJtnpmcurus. The latter is the only one of the three which has 

 been found in Australia. 



Besides a mere description of the member of this tribe which is found in Australia, there is much 

 to be said about these birds which is of interest to the general reader. They come but rarely to land, 

 except for the purpose of nesting, and, when engaged in that function, inhabit frequently high and 

 sometimes inaccessible places ; in some of the South Sea Islands they breed in the gloomy and solitary 

 coast jungles : they also sometimes nest in trees. Their long, bright red tail feathers, which would 

 doubtless always be considered beautiful, even if easily obtainable, are enhanced in value by their greater 

 rarity, like the Edelweiss of the Alps, and the natives whose shores the birds frequent prize these 

 feathers almost beyond any other adornment. The "Red-Caps" of the Friendly Islands, mentioned by 

 Captain Cook, made their brilliant war head-dress of these feathers, and Dr. Bennett lias recorded the 

 same fashion as being observed by the natives of Rotumah, in the South Pacific. In the Caroline Islands 

 two of these crimson plumes fixed in the ears and hanging downwards constitute a badge of chieftainship. 

 On these and other islands the natives work the feathers into baskets and other articles for ornament and 

 use. The plumes are generally obtained while the bird is on the nest. Having discovered their haunts, the 

 aborigines approach cautiously, and are able to pluck out the tail feathers, often without even causing the 

 bird to fly. Sailors have christened them the "Boatswain-Birds," or "Straw-Tails;" they are seen many 

 hundreds of miles out at sea. following or wheeling round ships in great circles, often Hying to enormous 

 heights. 



PHAETON PHCENICURUS (Gmdin). 



RED-TAILED TROPIC-BIRD. Genus: Phaeton. 



rilH IS variety is found in Mauritius and in many of the South Sea Islands. It is found in vasi 

 J- abundance in the Paumotu Group, or Gambier Archipelago : in Australia it inhabits the shores of 

 Torres Straits and other points along the northern coast. The months of August and September are its 

 breeding-time ; during the rest of the year it is not often seen on land, but is often met with at sea in 

 the Indian Ocean and the South Seas. Like the rest of the tribe, its flight is peculiar; it is a slow but 

 very graceful Hie]-, and when dropping down in search of fish it falls with a peculiar fluttering motion, as 

 if faint with fatigue ; this appears to be its method of descending upon its prey. The flying fish is its 

 principal food ; sometimes it seizes other fish near the surface, but never dives for them, and but seldom 

 floats on the surface. 



When on land for the purpose of breeding, it selects wild, uninhabited parts of the coast ; if there 

 are trees in the neighbourhood, it is loud of perching on the topmost branches, as if on the look out for 



