BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
193 
each other, not at all in an amicable manner, but as if they intended 
to do all the mischief in their power. How the different birds rec- 
ognized their young was a mystery to me, as they apparently did not 
remain in the same place after they had attained any size. 
“ Besides St. Domingo Key, I visited a number of other breed- 
ing-places, all of which resembled the one described, except in being 
more elevated above the water. The Booby is, I think, the most 
expert diver that I am acquainted with ; no matter in what position 
it may be, whether flying in a straight line, sailing in a circle, just 
rising from the water, or swimming on the surface, the instant it 
sees its prey it plunges after it. I have frequently seen one dive 
from the wing, rise to the surface, and dive in rapid succession five 
or six times ; and on taking flight again, dive before it had risen 
more than two or three feet from the surface, and perhaps catch 
a dozen fish in. the space of a minute. There is nothing graceful 
in its style ; it is apparently work and not pleasure. 
“ On one of the keys I visited, called Booby Key, near Green 
Key, I saw a great number of a species of Anolis, of a dark, almost 
black color, entirely unlike any seen elsewhere, but they were so 
timid and active in their movements that I could not procure a 
specimen. The stomach contained a great many varieties of fish ; 
among them a cottus, a parrot-fish, flatfish of two species, and some 
large prawns ; but their principal food seemed to be flying-fish and 
a species of hemirhamphus.” 
Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. VII. pi. 426. 
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