TROPICK BIRD. 
-called the Tropic k Bird, because it resides 
within the limits' of the torrid' Zone: while 
Linnaeus, probably, from it's seeming atten- 
dance on the sun, has given it the .poetical ap- 
pellation of Phaeton JEthereus." 
The Tropick Birds rove, in their powerful 
and rapid flights, many hundred leagues over 
the open sea; and, when fatigued, their broad 
pal mated feet enable them to rest on the sur- 
face of the water, where Labat even ventures 
to assert tha: they actually sleep ! 
» 
The shaft feathers are shed annually; and 
the inhabitants of Otaheite, and the neigh- 
bouring islands, gather them in the woods, 
where the birds repose at night, to weave into 
tufts and chaplets for -their warriors'. The 
C a ribs thrust these feathers through the sep- 
tum of the nose, by way of ornament ! 
The Tropick Bird often alights* exhausted, 
on the mast of a ship, and suffers itself to be 
p$&& with the hantl Leguat, however, de- 
scribes a carious contest with these, birds. 
** They annoyed us/' says he, "in a singular 
BMtfiaer: they surprized us behind, and snatched 
r . ' , " ._ , : :,.^,v, - ; ... . i & $m " 
