CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 8. NATATORES. 
339 
comes in sight; it also attacks the boobies and other marine birds with such violence that they 
are glad to yield their prey to their active assailant, and make their escape. 
THE MAN-OF-WAE BIRD. 
" The Frigate-Pelicans," says Nuttall, " associate in small or large flocks ; keep much on the 
wing, encountering storms with impunity, and soaring at times above the clouds. They fly with 
great rapidity, and are seen far out at sea, though never resting on the surface, as they appear 
unable either to dive or swim. On land they are seen perched on trees, or on high rocks ; and 
when on the ground appear unable to rise, and are easily caught. They pursue the flymg-fish, 
and seize it as it rises from the waves to escape from its pursuers in the deep. Tyrants of the 
ocean, they even seize upon the Pelican, and habitually harass the Gulls and Boobies, compelling 
them often to di-op their finny prey, or even to disgorge that which they have swaUowed, and 
are so eager and alert in the pursuit, as to seize the fish before it arrives at the waves. Their 
sight, like that of the Eagle, is keen and accurate, and they are often seen to pounce upon their 
quarry from the sky with an unerring aim. They sometimes skim the surface of the waves, or 
lie suspended wdth their wings still elevated above the back. 
" The Frigate Pelican, or Man-of-War Bird, is chiefly seen on the tropical seas, and generally 
on the wing. They are abundant in the Island of Ascension, India, Ceylon and China. In the 
South Sea they are seen about the Marquesas, Easter Isles and Ncav Caledonia, also at Otaheite. 
Dampier saw them in great plenty in the island of Aves in the West Indies, and they are com- 
mon off" the coast of East Florida, particularly around the reefs or keys, often assembled in flocks 
of from fifty to a thousand. They are also not uncommon, during summer, along the coasts of 
the Union as far as South Carolina, and breed in various places, retiring to warmer latitudes on 
the approach of cool weather. 
" The Frigate-Bird is often seen smoothly gliding through the air, with the motions of a kite, 
from one to two hundred leagues from the land, sustaining these vast flights Avith the greatest 
apparent ease, sometimes soaring so high as to be scarcely visible. 
" They breed abundantly in the Bahamas, and are said to make their nests on trees, if near ; 
at other times they lay on the rocks ; the eggs, one or two, are of a flesh color, marked with 
