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Show THE FRIOATE DIRD. ratlietle Right In (Mil Ago nr Slcknro Awaltlnff DrllventMco. Of the "man-o'-war" or "frigate" bird very little can bo said to his credit, says tho Spectator. MIcholet has rhapsodized about him In a curious effusion, of which one enn only Bay that ho Becms to havo confused three distinct birds under ono head. Wcro this bird to rccelvo nn entlroly appropriate appro-priate tltlo, It would bo "plrato" or '"buccnueer," since it is only upon tho rarest occasions that he condescends to fish for himself, choosing rather to rob humbler birds ot their well-earned proy. No sea-bird mounts so high ai he, rising Into tho clear bluo until only a black speck to tho unassisted eye. Usually, however, ho contents himself with n circling poise nt nn altttudo ot about 200 feet, whence ho keep3 steadfast stead-fast watch upon nil that transpires be-noath. be-noath. With his long tall dividing nnd closing llko tho halves of a pair of shears and tho brilliant scarlet pouch at his nock occasionally Inflated, ho waits, waits, until somo fussy booby, , Lite an overladen housowlto hurrying come from market, comes flapping nlong toward her nest. Then tho broad pinions suddenly closo, and down llko lightning comes tho marauder. With a wild shriek of terror booby disgorges hor fish, but oro Jt reaches tho water out Hash tho black wings again, and with a grand sweep tho assailant has passed beneath his frightened victim, caught tho plunder nnd soared skyward. sky-ward. In llko manner these birds may sometimes bo seen to catch a flying flsh on tho wing, n truly marvolous feat. It Is, nevertheless, a pathotlc sight to bco them, when old ago or sickness overtakes thorn, sitting in lonely dignity among tho rocks whoro they breod holplcssly awaiting with glazing eyes and dropping plumago tho tardy coming of deliverance. |