232 



The Bird 



together on their breeding-grounds, — low, sandy islands 

 along our coast. The small, delicately pointed beak of 

 the tern finishes off its neat appearance, and the entire 

 bird is the personification of grace, as it dashes through 

 the air, or plunges headlong into the sea, — to rise almost 



immediately with a 



small fish in its beak. 



The beak of the 



skimmer lends a heavy 



aspect to the whole 



bkd. It is long 



and high, and 



the lower man- 



FiG. 172.— Two-year-old Skim- 

 mer, reared in oaptivity, 

 showing abnormal growth 

 of mandible, due to lack 

 of friction against water. 



Fig. 171. — Bill of young Skimmer, showing under 

 mandible already slightly the longer. 



dible extends a full inch beyond the upper. Both are 

 as thin and as pliable as paper-knives. A unique method 

 of obtaining food is the secret of this apparent deformity: 

 the strong wings of the bird enable it to fly veiy close to 



