SYNOPSIS OF ORDERS AND FAMILIES. 



Family 6. SKIMMERS. RYNCHOPID/E. 



Toes four, three front ones webbed; bill thin and blade like, the maxilla longer than 

 the mandible; tail slightly forked. 



ORDER III. ALBATROSSES, SHEARWATERS, PETRELS, ETC. TUBI- 



NARES. 



(2 families, 30 species, 1 subspecies.) 



Sea-birds keeping, as a rule, well off shore, and flying low, near the 

 water, often skimming over the waves. Bill, with upper mandible 

 hooked; nostrils opening through tubes; wings long and pointed; tail 

 short; feet webbed; hind-toe rudimentary or absent. Color usually- 

 gray or black and white; no bright markings. 



BILL OF SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS. 



Family 7. ALBATROSSES. DIOMEDEID^E. 



Nostrils opening through tubes, separated and on either side of the bill. 



FULMAR. 



LEACH PETREL. 



Family 8. FULMARS, PETRELS. AND SHEARWATERS. PROCELLARIID , 

 Nostrils joined and situated on top of the bill. 



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