96 
RAPIDITY OF FLIGHT. 
shall we say to the Frigate-Bird, which surpasses all 
others in its power of flight, inasmuch as, excepting 
at the breeding season, it seldom visits the land ; 
and, still more extraordinary, is never seen to 
swim or repose upon the waters. Its very struc- 
ture, indeed, renders its living on either land or 
water a matter of difficulty; its wings are so long, 
that, like the Albatross, unless perched upon the 
pinnacle of a rock, or projecting point of a branch, 
it cannot take flight. Neither is it adapted for a 
life upon the waves ; as its feet are but partially 
webbed, and in addition to its length of wing, which 
renders it as difficult to rise from a flat-water sur- 
face as from the level ground of the land, its feathers 
are not of that close and downy texture peculiar to 
aquatic birds. Whereas, its whole form and inter- 
nal arrangements are calculated for, it may be almost 
said, eternal flight. Its length of wing, ten or twelve 
feet from tip to tip, forked tail, and short legs, (the 
thighs or tarsi not exceeding an inch in length,) bear 
a close resemblance to those of our common Swift, 
of whose wonderful powers of flight we have said so 
much; but nature has provided the Frigate-Bird 
with still more surprising means, for not only float- 
ing for a time, but for ever, without fatigue in the 
regions of air, and even sleep without risk of 
falling ; we shall endeavour to explain this (at first 
sight) most improbable capacity, so as to render it 
no longer a matter of doubt or difficulty, but merely 
an additional instance of the beautiful arrangement 
adopted by the providence of God in all his wondrous 
works. 
On examining it, we shall find just beneath the 
