THE BIRD BOOK 
MAN-O’-WAR BIRDS. Family FREGATIDAi 
128. Man-o’-war Bird. Fregata aquila. 
Range. — Tropical seas, north regularly in America to the South Atlantic and 
Gulf coasts, casually farther. 
Man-o’-war Birds or “Frigates,” as they are 
often called, are remarkable birds in many re- 
spects. In comparison with their weight they 
have the largest expanse of wing of any known 
bird. Weighing only about four pounds they have 
an extent of from seven to eight feet, their wings 
being extremely long and pointed. The length of 
the bird is about 40 inches, of which the tail com- 
prises about 18 in., 10 inches of this being forked. 
They have a large bright orange gular sac, a long, 
White 
hooked bill, and small slightly webbed feet. Their 
powers of flight combine the strength of the 
Albatrosses and the grace of the Terns. They 
are very poor swimmers and do not dive, so are 
forced to procure their food by preying upon the 
Gulls and Cormorants, forcing them to drop their 
fish, which the pirates catch before it reaches the 
water. They also feed upon flying fish, catching 
them in the air, whither they have been driven by 
their enemies in their natural element. They nest in large colonies on some of 
the Bahama Islands and on some of the small Florida Keys. Their nests are 
small frail platforms of sticks and twigs and the single egg is laid in March 
and April. It is white and has a smooth surface. Size 2.80 x 1.90. Data. — Key 
Verde, Bahamas, March 6, 1889. Single egg. Nest a frail affair of sticks on a 
cactus. Collector, D. P. Ingraham. 
Man-O’-War Bird 
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