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Its habits are rather indolent, seeming unwilling to leave its fa* 

 vorite rock except when forced by hunger. Differing from most 

 marine birds, it is incapable of diving, and can only procure its favor- 

 ite fare when near the surface. During the season of incubation, it 

 is so intent in obeying the great law of Nature, that it suffers itself to 

 be approached' and killed on the spot, rather than forsake its nest. 

 Two species are found in the United States — the present and the 

 Booby Gannet [S.fusca,] the latter rarely seen east of the coast of 

 Georgia. 



FAMILY LARIN^. 



GULLS. 



GENUS RHYNCHOPS— LINN. 



SKIMMER. 

 [Bill longer thaia the head — sti-aight, exceedingly compressed toward the 

 end ; lower mandible much longer than the upper — narrower, truncated or 

 squai'e at the end, fitting into the channel of the upper ; body rather short ; 

 wings very long ; tail forked, of twelve feathers ; feet short, not very stout, 

 webs emarginate.] 



RHYNCHOPS NIGRA— LINN. 



BLACK SKIMMER. 



Black Skimmer, or Shearwater Rhynchops, Nigra, Wilson, 



Rhynchops Nigra, Bonap. 



Black Skimmer, Nuttall. 



Black Skimmer, or Razor-billed Sheai^water, Rhynchops, Nigra, Aud, 



Specific Character — Length of the upper mandible along the gap 

 three inches and a half, lower mandible four inches and a quarter, 

 wing fourteen and a quarter, extending three inches and a half 

 beyond the tail. Adult male with the base of both mandibles car- 

 mine, ending with black ; upper mandible three inches and a half 

 long ; lower mandible about one inch longer and very thin ; upper 

 mandible grooved, so as to receive the edge of the lower ; a band 

 on the forehead ; cheeks, throat, and the whole lower parts white \ 

 upper plumage black ; inner webs and tips of secondaries white ; 

 feet bright scarlet. Length nineteen inches. Female about three 

 inches less ; the tail feathers white, with a central black band j 

 in other respects similar to the male. 



