624 



THE ROSEATE TERN. 



are rather new species, not familiar to the general reader, as, indeed, is the case with several 

 others, all of which we indicate, as it is thought desirable to keep a general view of all the 

 American species, though we may not find it desirable to add any considerable details. Other 

 species inhabiting North America are the Mew, Heerman's Gull, Laughing Gull, Franklin's 

 Gull, Bonaparte's, Ross's, Sabine's, and Swallow-tail. 



The Laughing Gull is very common on our South Atlantic and Gulf shores, where it has 

 a habit of chasing the pelicans and causing them to share food with them. 



x. 



BOSS'S GULL. RliodottetMa roeea. 



THE name of SOISSOR-BILL (Rhynchops nigra\ is very appropriately given to this species. 



This remarkable Gull has a long and much -compressed teak, the lower mandible being 

 much longer than the upper, rather flatter, and shutting into the upper like a knife-blade into 

 the handle. The Scissor-bill is found along the coast of America and part of Africa. This 

 is also called the Black Skimmer, or Cut-water, from its remarkable shears-like bill. It is 

 seen off the Jersey coast and southward. The singular bill is the only unusual feature. From 

 its habit of scooping its bill along the surface of the sea for its food, it is called Skimmer. 



