The Frigate Bird is principally characterized by a strong, robust bill,
longer than the head, with mandibles hooked at the point; the front of
the neck bare of feathers; wings very long and narrow, first two
feathers longest; tail lengthy and forked; feet short; toes united by a
membrane deeply notched.
The Frigate Bird has a most expansive spread of wing; its power of
flight is, therefore, very great. It inhabits the tropical seas of both
the Old and New World; and navigators assure us that they have met with
it many miles from any shore. When a hurricane arises they mount up far
above the storm, and remain in those empyrean regions until it is again
fine weather. In consequence of their almost disproportionate spread of
wing, they can sustain themselves in the air for lengthened periods,
without taking or requiring rest.
Their sight is so piercing that, at a distance far beyond that which
would render them invisible to us, they can perceive their prey, the
principal of which is the Flying-fish. From their elevated situation,
they dart down upon their favorite food, which has relinquished its
native element; and, keeping their neck and feet in a horizontal
position, cleave asunder the air and grasp their victim, who little
expected to meet with an enemy in the element which it sought for
safety. It is no unusual thing for it to rob the Gannet of the Fish
which it has just caught; the unfortunate Bird acting as purveyor to
this sea-robber.
The Frigate Bird is of such a combative temperament, and has such an
unbounded confidence in its strength, that it is not afraid of Man. It
has been known to dash at a sailor, and to snatch at the Fish which he
held in his hand. M. de Kerhoent, a French navigator, relates that,
during a residence at the Island of Ascension, a perfect cloud of
Frigate Birds surrounded his crew. They hovered about a few feet above
the coppers of the open-air kitchen, in order to carry off the meat,
without being intimidated in the least by the presence of his followers.
Some of them approached so near, that M. de Kerhoent knocked down one of
the impudent intruders with a blow of his stick.
They assemble in large flocks on the islands where they are accustomed
to breed. In the month of May they begin to repair their old or
construct new nests. They pluck off with their beaks from the bush small
dry branches, and with these pieces of stick crossed and re-crossed, a
foundation is formed. These nests are situated upon trees which hang
over the water, or are placed on rocks overjutting the sea; in them they
lay one egg of a pure white color.