MAN—O’—WAR BIRDS. 97

FAMILY FREGATIDAE. MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS.

Man-o’-war Birds, or Frigate Birds, are found throughout inter- tropical 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 feed- ing that their marvelous aerial powers are displayed to the best advan- tage. 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. Pregata, aquila. (Lima). MAN—OLWAR BIRD; FBIGATE BIRD. (See Fig. 15.) Ad. 6 .—-Entire plumage black, more glossy above. 9 .-——Simi— lar, but browner; lesser wing- -cove1ts grayish brown; breast and upper belly White. 1m. —Similar to the 9, but Whole head and neck Iwhite. L., 4000; W., 25';00 T. 17';00 13., 4'50.

Range. —Tropical and subtropical coasts generally; in America north to Florida, Texas, and California, and casually to Kansas, Ohio, and Nova Scotia.

Long Island, A. V., one record.

Nest, of sticks, in colonies, on bushes or rocks. Egg, one, chalky White, 2'65 x 1'75.

This species is not uncommon on the coasts of southern Florida, but does not, so far as I know, nest there. It resembles other mem- bers of the family in habits.

ORDER ANSEREI. LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMEBS.

FAMILY ANATI'DIE. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS.

The two hundred species included in this family are placed in the five subfamilies, Marginal; or Mergansers, Anatime or River Ducks, Fuhgulinw or Sea Ducks, Anserinw or Geese, and Cygm'nw or Swans. The characters given in the Key to Families should enable one to easily refer a specimen to its proper group. These subfamilies are so

well defined that it seems advisable to treat of each one separately. 8 a