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THE TROPIC BIRD, 
Tortugas, and in May lay their eggs on the sand, beneath the low bushes. During the occu- 
pancy of Fort Jefferson by troops and prisoners, the eggs of these birds were a valuable item 
in our list — meagre as it must be in that region— of fresh edibles. It was customary to clear 
a space, several yards square, of the fresh eggs, and then take the fresh-laid ones in that space 
twice a week. This could be continued during several weeks, when the garrison was supplied 
with fresh eggs in numbers to be an important item additional to rations. Besides these eggs 
were a few of those of the Noddy Tern (. Anous stolidus ), which were laid in rude nests con- 
structed on the bushes over the Sooties’ . They were pure white, and had a yellow yolk. 
The Bridled Tern, and two small species called, respectively, Black, and the White- 
winged Tern, are known as North American. 
THE PELICANS. 
We now arrive at the last family of birds, the Pelicans, a group which includes many 
species, all remarkable for some peculiarity, and many of them really fine and handsome birds. 
TKOPIC BIRD . — Phaeton ceihereus. 
As its name implies, the Tropic Bird is seldom to be seen outside the tropics unless 
driven by storms. It is wonderfully powerful on the wing, being able to soar for a considerable 
period, and passing whole days in the air without needing to settle. It is a beautiful and 
delicately graceful bird, and always calls forth the admiration of the beholders, as it hovers 
above the vessel or darts into the water in pursuit of prey. While on the wing it utters a 
loud, shrill, and grating cry, which often indicates its presence at night as well as by day. 
On account of this shrill cry, the sailors call it the Boatswain Bkd. They also call it by the 
name of Startail, on account of the long projecting tail-feathers. 
