do Islands, Calif., March 28, 1897. Three eggs. Nest of
sticks, lined with green leaves, located on the ground. Collector, H.
McConville.

[Illustration 087: Chalky white.]
[Illustration: Brown Pelican. White Pelican.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 86

MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. Family FREGATIDAE

128. MAN-O'-WAR BIRD. _Fregata aquila._

Range.--Tropical seas, north regularly in America to the South Atlantic
and Gulf coasts, casually farther.

Man-o'-war Birds or "Frigates," as they are often called, are remarkable
birds in many respects. In comparison with their weight they have the
largest expanse of wing of any known bird. Weighing only about four
pounds they have an extent of from seven to eight feet, their wings
being extremely long and pointed. The length of the bird is about 40
inches, of which the tail comprises about 18 in., 10 inches of this
being forked. They have a large bright orange gular sac, a long, hooked
bill, and small slightly webbed feet. Their powers of flight combine the
strength of the Albatrosses and the grace of the Terns. They are very
poor swimmers and do not dive, so are forced to procure their food by
preying upon the Gulls and Cormorants, forcing them to drop their fish,
which the pirates catch before it reaches the water. They also feed upon
flying fish, catching them in the air, whither they have been driven by
their enemies in their natural element. They nest in large colonies on
some of the Bahama Islands and on some of the small Florida Keys. Their
nests are small frail platforms of sticks and twigs and the single egg
is laid in March and April. It is white and has a smooth surface. Size
2.80 x 1.90. Data.--Key Verde, Bahamas, March 6, 1889. Single egg. Nest
a frail affair of sticks on a cactus. Collector, D. P. Ingraham.

[Illustration 088: White.]
[Illustration: Man-O'-War Bird.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 87

Order V. ANSERES
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS. Family ANATIDAE

The birds comprising this family are of greatly varying sizes, but all
have webbed feet, and generally the bill is broader than high, and is
serrated on the edges or provided with gutters to act as a strainer in
assisting the birds to gather their food.

129. MERGANSER. _Mergus americanus._

Range.--North America, breeding from the northern border of the United
States northward.

The three species of Mergansers are almost exclusively fish