GENUS TACHYPTES (Vieillot). 



SOME authorities have classed the representatives of this genus which inhabit Australia under two 

 species. Their definite classification is, however, very difficult, as members of the same species even 

 show many conflicting differences in size and markings, especially in the colour of the head. Whether 

 they become eventually grouped under various heads must be matter for further research. 



The Frigate-birds, often called " Man-o'-War birds," have justly earned a wide notoriety among 

 all who have seen their most original way of procuring food. They are widely dispersed over all tropical 

 coasts : their powers of flight arc probably excelled by no other bird, combining as they do marvellous 

 speed, endurance and activity. Resting on sonic point of observation, they watch their weaker brethren, 

 the Gannets, Cormorants, and such like laboriously gathering a store of fish. When they are laden and 

 on their return shoreward, the Frigate-bird sweeps on them, swift as a meteor, circles round the victim, 

 bars its flight, darts on it with open bill, forcing the weaker one to disgorge its hard-earned food, 

 which the bird robber will catch and swallow before it reaches the ground or sea. Their food is principally 

 procured in this tyrannical fashion ; sometimes they chase and catch flying-fish when above the surface. 

 They also mercilessly devour the young of other birds and, though they are gregarious, are domineering 

 and quarrelsome among themselves, even to pillaging each others' nests. In a word, they are the terror of 

 all sea fowl, and with their predatory ways, daring, unrivalled flight, and pitiless instincts to destroy, they 

 have earned the character of true " Sea Vultures." 



TACHYPTES MINOE. 



SMALL FRLGATE-BLRD. Genus: Tachyftes. 



TI^HIS species is common on the coasts of tropical Australia and in Torres Straits it is abundant. There 

 J- it has often been seen by travellers procuring food after the hawk-like manner of the tribe, by 

 forcing the weaker birds to disgorge fish which they had caught. Their powerful wings enable them to 

 fly to vast distances, but they rarely leave the tropics. They never rest on the surface of the water, 

 only skim near it on the watch for flying-fish or for unfortunate weaker birds which they frighten into 

 giving up their food. They see well by night, though they rarely go out to sea except by day : they 

 are silent birds, seldom uttering their cry, which, when sounded, is a rough croaking noise. 



They gather into colonies at the breeding time ; the nest is composed of a few coarse sticks, 

 which the birds are often seen to break off when on the wing, with a twist of their strong beaks. One 

 or two eggs arc found in a nest ; they are pure white, moderately smooth and almost the same shape 

 at each end. 



The plumage of the male is greenish-black, with purple lights on the upper surfaces, the lanceolate 

 plumes of the back showing lighter shades of green and purple. Under surfaces more brownish : irides, 

 brown ; lull, bluish, a deeper shade at the point, which is of wonderful strength and power : gular pouch, 

 bright red ; legs and feet red. 



The female is smaller and less brilliant in colour than the male, without the lengthened plumes 

 on the back : a row of feathers forms a collar round the neck ; breast and upper part of the flanks, 

 ruddy white. 



Habitats : Torres Straits and other tropical portions of the Australian coast. 



