334 
Mr. P. R. Lowe on Birds collected 
through the branches and fall to the ground, where it is 
helpless and more often than not is unable to regain its 
native element through the thick overspreading branches. 
We found the desiccated bodies of several birds hanging by 
the neck from a forked branch, having evidently slipped 
down from their nests and been caught up by the fork as 
they fell. We had been previously solemnly assured by a 
West-Indian negro that Frigate-birds sometimes commit 
suicide. The owner of the island told me that these birds 
eat an enormous quantity of young turtles that have just 
taken to the sea, when they are unable to dive. I am not 
aware whether or no Frigate-birds are known to take draughts 
of water, but I watched for some time a band of about twenty 
hovering over a large pond of fresh water on the western 
island, and every now and then dipping down to it one after 
the other in the apparent endeavour to scoop some of it into 
their bills. The bill at each stoop was dipped lightly into the 
water, and I could discover nothing either on the surface or 
in the water on which they could be feeding. Dr. Adams, 
the son of the owner, assures me he has often seen Frigate- 
birds doing this, and he is convinced that they are then 
drinking. It is a mistake to suppose that they live entirely 
on animal-matter floating on the surface of the water, or on 
prey which they make Gannets and other birds disgorge, for 
I have myself seen one chase and capture a fine flying-fish 
which was skimming over the waves. If by any mischance 
a bird happens to find itself in the water, it is very seldom 
able to rise unless there is a fresh breeze, and it sooner or 
later perishes. 
Falco columbarius Linn. 
An American Merlin was seen and shot. The owner told 
me that he had been interested to note many Hawks of 
different species apparently following in the track of birds 
migrating during the autumn and spring. I have shot the 
present species in both the Grand and Little Cayman 
Islands. 
