In appearance this bird resembles a large Tern (see Vol. I, page 103),
and its habits are similar to those of the Terns. Inter-tropical, it
is of a wandering disposition, breeding on the islands of mid-ocean
thousands of miles apart. It is noted for its elegant, airy, and
long-protracted flight. Davie says that on Bourbon, Mauritius and other
islands east and south of Madagascar it breeds in the crevices of the
rocks of inaccessible cliffs, and in hollow trees. In the Bermuda
Islands it nests about the first of May in holes in high rocky places
along the shores. Here its favorite resorts are the small islands of
Great Sound, Castle Harbor, and Harrington Sound. The Phaeton, as it is
felicitously called, nests in the Bahamas in holes in the perpendicular
faces of cliffs and on the flat surfaces of rocks. A single egg is laid,
which has a ground-color of purplish brownish white, covered in some
specimens almost over the entire surface with fine reddish
chocolate-colored spots.
These species compose the small but distinct family of tropic birds and
are found throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.
Long journeys are made by them across the open sea, their flight when
emigrating being strong, rapid, and direct, and immense distances are
covered by them as they course undismayed by wind or storm. In feeding,
Chapman says, they course over the water, beating back and forth at a
height of about forty feet, and their long willowy tail-feathers add
greatly to the grace and beauty of their appearance when on the wing.
They are of rare and probably accidental occurrence on our coasts.
The Songs of Nature never cease,
Her players sue not for release
In nearer fields, on hills afar,
Attendant her musicians are:
From water brook or forest tree,
For aye comes gentle melody,
The very air is music blent--
An universal instrument.
--JOHN VANCE CHENEY.
[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD.
Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.]