PALMIPEDES. 371 



Sterna* the Tern. 



Resembling the Gulls, but with excessively long 

 and pointed wings, and a very forked tail, the Terns 

 are often called Sea-swallows, their swift and rushing 

 flight, as well as their figure, reminding the beholder 

 of the true Swallows. They are usually of a pearly 

 grey, with black on the head, and a white belly. The 

 Noddy (S. Stolida) differs from other Terns in its 

 tail, though long, being entire. Its common appella- 

 tion is derived from its stupid, headlong manner of 

 alighting on vessels. 



Rhynchops^ the Shearwater. 



The best known species of this genus is the Black 

 Skimmer, or Shearwater (R. Nigra], a native of the 

 American coast. It is one of those unusual forms 011 

 which Buffon was wont to dilate with misdirected elo- 

 quence, attempting to shew the imperfection of their 

 structure, and the want of wisdom in the creating 

 Deity. " Such ignorant presumption, or rather im- 

 piety," observes Wilson, whose just indignation was 

 always roused by such malignant, though abortive 

 efforts ; " ought to hide its head in the dust, on a calm 

 display of the peculiar construction of this singular 

 bird, and the wisdom by which it is so admirably 

 adapted to the purposes or mode of existence for 



* The English name, Tern or Stern, latinized. 



rhyncJtos, a beak, and &ty, ops., the countenance. 



