ADAPTATION OF STRUCTURE TO HABITS. 
241 
manner. It may be called a bird as much as the seal is 
a mammal; it is in truth, like this animal, a hermaphro¬ 
dite creature, a link between its own class and the fishes. 
A description of its form renders any explanation of the 
working of its organs unnecessary. 
Finally, let us take another glance at that bird which I 
have already said was to the sea that which the Swift is 
to the land; X allude to the Frigate-bird, belonging (as its 
Latin name denotes) essentially to the ocean, for it is 
indeed the “ Eagle of the Sea.” To its body, although 
not much larger than a Raven’s, are attached the 
most singular, and, comparatively speaking, the longest 
wings of any bird, and, at the same time, the most 
powerful of all rudders ; the former are each no less than 
four feet in length, but only a few inches broad, while 
the tail falls little short of sixteen inches and is deeply 
forked; the webs of its feathers are broad, which allow 
for the expansion of this huge rudder. The neck and 
head are both strong, and the beak is exceedingly sharp 
and powerful, terminating in a hook; it has a wide gape, 
and the gullet is furnished with a very elastic skin or 
pouch. The feet are attached to short legs and are 
covered with feathers. Its long toes are semi-webbed 
behind, while in front they form very talons provided with 
sharp nails. Such a combination of structure makes it 
easy for the Frigate-bird to cover immense distances in its 
flight ; it can cleave the air, sailing over the water like an 
Eagle, and take its prey like a plunging Diver, swim like a 
Cormorant and dive as well. These powers are only 
found united among this richly endowed order of birds, 
and it is this versatility that crowns it Sovereign of the 
Seas. 
This superficial glance, briefer than we could wish, 
