RHYNCHOPS NIGRA : BLACK SKIMMER. 377 



so obtuse at the end ; its substance is nearly hollow, with light 

 cancellated structure, much as in a toucan ; it is freely movable 

 by means of an elastic hinge at the forehead. Plumage glossy 

 black, the forehead, sides of head and neck, and all under parts, 

 pure white, or rosy-tinted ; tail ashy and white ; bill red, black- 

 tipped ; feet orange. Young : grayish-black or dull brown above, 

 varied with white ; bill yellow, dusky-tipped. Length, 16.00- 

 20.00 inches; extent, 3.00-4.00 feet ; wing, 13.00-15.00 inches; 

 tail, 4.00-5.00, forked; under mandible, 3.25-4.50; upper, 2.50-3.00. 



"The only record of this species occurring in New 

 England, was given by Linsley in 1843, in his Catalogue 



FIG. So. BILL OF SKIMMER. Nat. size. 



of the Birds of Connecticut ; but since then, writers 

 have considered that it was given without sufficient 

 proof. 



" Under date of Aug. 20, 1879, Mr. Charles I. Goodale 

 writes me that three specimens of the Black Skimmer 

 were shot at Sandwich, Cape Cod, Mass., on the iQth 

 inst., and that the next day a fourth specimen was 

 killed off Pettock's Island, Boston Harbor, which latter 

 bird he has preserved. 



" My friend, Mr. George A. Boardman, of Milltown, 

 St. Stephens, N. B., under date of Aug. 31, 1879, writes 

 me that there had been a flight of Skimmers in his 

 locality, and that seven specimens had been killed off 



