RHYNCHOPS. A417 
Guatemala, Acapam, Pacific coast (0. S.4518); Nicaragua, Los Sdabalos 
(Nutting !°).—Trinipap 18; West Inpizs 8. 
The “ Black Skimmer,” or “ Scissor-bill,” is distinguished by the broad white edging to 
the secondaries and by the white under wing-coverts ; the tail-feathers are white, with 
more or less brown in their centres. 
Grayson states that he has observed the species in Western Mexico near San Blas 
during the summer months, where it was not very numerous, being, doubtless, chiefly 
a winter visitor to Central America. On the western side it has been observed by 
Sumichrast on the coast of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, and Salvin procured specimens 
on the Acapam Lagoon about two leagues from Chiapam on the Pacific coast of 
Guatemala 4518, From the eastern side of our region &. nigra has been recorded by 
Mr. Dresser and Dr. Berlandier. ‘The latter regarded it as a rare species on the 
Mexican coast, and met with only one example near Tampico!*. Dr. Gaumer states 
that on the northern coast of Yucatan many thousands could be seen at any time 
at the mouths of the rivers !2. It has also been met with by Mr. Nutting at Los 
Sdbalos, a place situated about thirty miles from the Lake of Nicaragua on the River 
San Juan }°, 
The Skimmer is seldom seen at sea, except when crossing from island to island on 
migration. It is a coast-frequenter, often collecting in enormous numbers, and is 
met with occasionally in small parties round the shores of inland lakes and along the 
larger rivers. ft. nigra has all the habits of a Tern, making no nest beyond a 
depression in the sand, and breeding in large communities. It feeds on small fish, 
following them on the surface of the water and catching the minute fry with its 
scissor-like bill; in a similar manner it will plough up the mud in search of small 
molluscs. This bird has a strong flight, capable of being maintained against the most 
violent gale !4. 
The eggs vary from a long and narrow to a broad pointed oval form, the ground- 
colour being creamy or very pale buff, sometimes with a pinkish tinge. The markings 
consist of spots and blotches of black or reddish-brown, sometimes forming confluent 
patches, and the underlying pattern is dark purple”. 
2, Rhynchops melanura. 
Rhynchops melanura, Swains. Classif. Birds, ii. p. 373' ; Saunders, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxv. 
p. 156°. 
R. nigre similis, sed secundariis angustius albo marginatis, rectricibus saturate brunneis, angustissime albido 
limbatis, subalaribus fumoso-cinereis distinguenda. Long. tota circa 15:5, ale 12°5, caude 4-7, rostri 3°2 
tarsi 1-1. (Deser. av. adult. ex Cozumel I. Maus. nostr.) 
Hab. Mexico, Cozumel I., off Yucatan (Gawmer?).—Coasts AND Rivers or Sovutu 
AMERICA 2. 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Aves, Vol. III., November 1903. 53 
