T AC }METES, Vieil. Tem. PELEC ANUS, Lin. &c. GATE.
Bill long, stout, sharp-edged, depressed at the base, flattened at the sides, with a suture above, the tips of both mandibles strongly curved, and the upper terminated by a very pointed hook ; no nasal foss; nostrils more or less -;oncealed, and linear ; legs placed backwards, very short ; tarsus shorter than the toes, and half-feathered ; the three fore toes long, and half-webbed ; wings very long and straight ; tail much forked.
T. aquilus, Vieil. Pelicanus aquilus, Lath. Frigate, Frigate Bird, or Frigate Pelican. Body and orbits black ; bill red; belly of the female white. The old male has a bright red fleshy membrane under the throat. Three feet long, extent of wing fourteen feet. This species has its English name from its lengthened form, rapid move ment, and the spirited manner in which it attacks the birds which it compels to disgorge. In pursuit of prey, it braves the winds and tempests; but it is also capable of soaring above the region of storms; and it is often con strained to continue its flight during the night, as it can seldom repose long on the water, being unprovided with the requisite quantity of down. When intent on glutting
its ravenous appetite, it is not deterred by the sight of man, and will even continue its repast when held in his hand. It preys on all manner of fish that approach the surface of the water, particularly the flying sorts, on which it darts with the greatest velocity.
As the frigate-bird rises from the ground with diffi culty, it usually reposes on the point of a rock, or the top of a tree, from which it can spring at once into the air. The nest is generally placed in a tree, or the hole of a rock, at a considerable elevation, and in desert places near the sea-shore. The female lays one or two white eggs, tinged with flesh colour, and minutely dotted with crimson. The young are fed in the nest, which they do not quit till they are capable of flying. At first they are covered with a grey white down, and have the bill almost white. We know not on what authority some of the German ornithologists have ranked this species among the birds of Europe. Its ordinary residence is within the tropics.