Family Fregatide
MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS.
Man-o'-war Birds, or Frigate Birds, are found throughout intertropical seas. One of the two known species occurs in America. They are strictly maritime, and, while sometimes observed at great distances from the land, are met with in numbers only near the coasts. They have a greater expanse of wing in proportion to the weight of their body than any other bird, and in power of flight are unsurpassed. They rarely alight upon the water, but, facing the wind, pass hours resting motionless on outstretched wings, sometimes ascending to great heights and calmly soaring far above storms. It is when feeding that their marvelous aërial powers are displayed to the best advantage. By swift, indescribably graceful darts they secure fish which are near the surface or capture those which have leaped from the water to escape some enemy below. They also pursue Gulls and Terns, and, forcing them to disgorge their prey, catch it in midair. As a rule they are gregarious at all seasons, and nest and roost on bushes near the shore. 128. Fregata aquila (Linn.). MAN-O'-WAR BIRD; FRIGATE BIRD. (See Fig. 15.) Ad. 8. - Entire plumage black, more glossy above. 2.-Similar, but browner; lesser wing-coverts grayish brown; breast and upper belly white. Im.-Similar to the q, but whole head and neck white. L., 40.00; W., 25.00; T., 17·00; B., 4.50.