THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
‘‘ p. 591. Fregata aquila minor (Gmelin). 
“Range: Central Pacific and Indian Oceans. Accidental (?) in the 
Galapagos Archipelago ; Tower Island (Baur and Adams). 
“ {Attagen ariel Gould. A perfectly distinct species, easily recognised by 
the white flank patch of the adult male and other perfectly obvious 
characters.) 
“ One specimen of this smaller form, an adult male, was obtained at 
Tower Island, September 3, 1891, by Messrs. Baur and Adams. 
“ Besides being considerably smaller, this bird differs from the three 
examples of true F. aquila in coloration, the plumage being much more 
glossy, and the metallic coloring of the back and scapulars brilliant green 
mixed with a little purple, instead of just the reverse. 
“ The lesser wing-coverts also have a large area of dull brownish feathers, 
running parallel with the anterior border of the wing, there being no trace 
of such coloration in the three specimens of F. aquila. 
“ The measurements of this specimen are herewith given, as well as those 
of three adult males of true F. aquila from the Galapagos and an equal number 
(the smallest of six) from the Bahamas. 
ad. (J Tower I. Gal. . . Wing 22.80 tail 14.60 culmen 3.82 mid. toe 2.06. 
ad. (J Tower I. Gal. 
>9 
25.70 
99 
18.75 
99 
4.38 
99 
2.18. 
ad. (J Barrington I. Gal. 
99 
25.51 
99 
18.80 
99 
4.38 
99 
2.15. 
ad. ^ Barrington I. Gal. 
99 
24.30 
99 
18.00 
99 
4.05 
99 
2.05. 
ad. ^ Key Verd, Bahamas 
99 
23.75 
99 
18.00 
99 
4.20 
ad. (J Key Verd, Bahamas 
99 
24.10 
99 
17.75 
99 
4.30 
99 
2.10. 
ad. cJ Key Verd, Bahamas 
99 
24.45 
99 
18.75 
99 
4.12 
99 
2.05. 
“ Whether or not F. aquila minor be worthy of recognition as a separate 
form from true F. aquila, there can be no question as to the fact that it was 
upon this form that Gmelin’s Pelecanus minor was based. It is equally 
certain that the name Attagen ariel Gould, so generally quoted as a synonym 
of F. minor, does not at all belong to the latter bird, but to a very distinct 
species inhabiting the seas between Africa and Australia (and doubtless 
elsewhere). F. ariel is still smaller than F. a. minor, very much more slender, 
and differs further in several very conspicuous colour-characters, amongst 
which may be mentioned a large white flank-patch of which there is no 
trace in either F. aquila or its smaller form.” 
A couple of years later Rothschild and Hartert gave a Review of the 
Ornithology of the Galapagos Islands {Nov. Zool., Vol. VI., 1899), and at 
p. 175 wrote the following under the title Fregata aquila L. : 
“ Ridgway and Grant have quite correctly accepted the name F. ariel 
for the small species found in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, from 
250 
