46 BOATSWAIN--BOB-LINCOLN 
so far as they are known, confirm the inference derived from its 
structure. The wonderful “ Shoe-bird” or Whale-headed SToRK 
BOAT-BILL. 
(Balxniceps) is regarded by some authorities as allied to Cancroma ; 
but the present writer cannot recognize in it any close affinity to 
the Ardeidx. 
BOATSWAIN, in seamen’s ornithology, is a name applied to 
several kinds of birds, and was perhaps first given to some of the 
genus Stfercorarius (SKUA), though nowadays most commonly used 
for the species of Phaethon (TROPIC-BIRD), the projecting middle 
feathers of the tail in each being generally likened to the marline- 
spike that is identified with the business of that functionary, but 
probably the authoritative character assumed by both Skua and 
officer originally suggested the appellation. 
BOAT-TAIL, a common name applied to certain North-Ameri- 
can birds of the genus Qwiscalus, belonging to the Family Icteridx 
(see GRACKLE and IcTERUS), from the power they have of holding 
the tail in the shape of a boat with the concavity uppermost. 
BOB-LINCOLN, BOBLINK, and BOBOLINK, names given by 
the English in North America to what is commonly called in books 
the Rice-Bunting, Dolichonyx oryzivora, one of the best-known birds 
of that continent—valued for its song and still more for its sapidity, 
in which last respect it equals if it does not surpass the famed 
