MASON AND LEFROY. 277 



much more on live fish than dead, and so their diet differs consi- 

 derably from that of the Gulls. Of the species not generally found 

 on the sea coast H. hybrida is an inland resident throughout India, 

 S. anglica, S. fluviatilis, and the three Ternlets (sinensis, minuta 

 and saundersi) are of general occurrance, and S. seena and S. melan- 

 ogastzr preferably frequent rivers. 



The Terns are probably mostly migrants, going North to breed 

 in the hot weather ; the river Terns, however, breed in large 

 quantities in India. The Terns do not appear to be of any bene- 

 ficial importance, and need more or less specific distinction. 



Rhynchops. Small fish, crustaceans, &c., E. B. C. N. H., 304. 



1517. Rhynchops albicollis. Indian Skimmer or Scissorsbill. 



Asserted to pick up small fish and Crustacea but I have 



generally discovered merely a little oily fluid. Jerd. B. I. Ill, 

 847. Fish. F. I. IV, 328. The skimmer haunts large rivers. 



Stercorariidce. Skuas live chiefly by robbing other birds. 

 Jerd. B. I. Ill, 828. Rob Gulls, Terns and Petrels of their food. 

 A. le M., 230. Rob sea-birds of fish and other food. At times 

 the Skuas feed on eggs, on young and sickly birds, and on some 

 mammals. F. I. IV, 328. 



1518. Stercorarius crepidatus. Richardson's Skua. 



1519. Stercorarius pomatorhinus. Pomatorhine Skua. Of 

 both these species. ' The food consists chiefly of fish, which 

 the smaller gulls are forced to disgorge, while Kittiwakes and 



the like are themselves devoured in default of other prey; 



Rob even Terns. E. B. C. N. H., 305. Skuas are sea birds. 



Steganopodes. Pelicans, Frigate-birds, Cormorants, Gannets, 

 and Tropic-birds. These birds are almost exclusively piscivorous, 

 and are therefore generally regarded as injurious. 



STEGANOPODES. 



Pekcanidce. Pelicans. They live on fish, and when in flocks 

 often capture their prey by forming in single, double or even 

 triple line across a piece of water, and driving the fish before 



