202 LAREDO. 



Rhynchops flavirostris, F. 



Rhynchops flavirostris, Baedeker, L. Brehm Sf A. Brehm, J.f. 0. 1853, 

 App. p. 117, tat. v. fig. 2; Heugl Vog. N. O.-Afr. ii. pt. 11, p. 1463, 

 pi. 50. fig. 3 (1873) ; Saunders, Cat. Birds B. M. xxv. p. 158 (1896) ; 

 Sharpe, Hand-l. i. p. 138 (1899). 



The eggs of the Yellow-billed Skimmer resemble those of 

 R. melanura, but are smaller. Some of the specimens are of a 

 remarkably narrow, elongated form. They measure from 1*53 to 

 1-64 in length, and from 1-12 to 1-17 in breadth. 



4. River Niger, W. Africa. Dr. Cuthbert Christy [P.]. 



6. Ambukol, Soudan, May (Col. Seebohrn Coll. 

 W. Vemer). 



I. South Africa. Old Collection. 



Rhynchops albicollis, Swains. 

 (Plate XV. fig. 4.) 



Rhynchops albicollis, Oates ed. Hume, Nests fy Egqs Ind. B. iii. p. 316 

 (1890) ; Saunders, Cat. Birds B. M. xxv. p. 159 (1896) ; Sharpe, 

 Hand-l. i. p. 138 (1899). 



The eggs of the Indian Skimmer are of a broad oval form, more 

 or less pointed at the smaller end. The ground varies from pale 

 cream-colour to pale buff, and, when the eggs are fresh, it is fre- 

 quently tinged with grey, green or pink. The markings, which 

 consist of bold streaks and blotches, are of a reddish-brown or 

 chocolate-brown colour, and sometimes they are so intensely dark 

 as to appear almost black. There are also the usual underlying pj.le 

 purple markings. As pointed out by Mr. Hume, the streaks 

 frequently lie at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the egg. 

 The eggs measure from 1*45 to 1-75 in length, and from 1'05 

 to 1'3 in breadth. 



6. India. Gould Coll. 



45. Wazirabad, 1st May. Hume Coll. 



3. Delhi (C. T. Bingham}. Hume Coll. 



1. Delhi. Hume Coll. 



3. Futtehgurh, 3rd April (A. Ander- Saunders Coll. 



son). 



8. Futtehgurh, 30th April (A. A.). Seebohm Coll. 



24. Allahabad, 14th March (C. T. Hume Coll. 



Bingham). 



10. Allah'abad, 18th March (C. T. B.). Hume Coll. 



2. Mirzapur ( W. E. Brooks}. Seebohm Coll. 

 18. Etawah, 16th March (A. O. Hume}. Hume Coll. 



II. Etawah, 12th-15th March Hume Coll. 



(A. O. H.} 



3. Etawah, 6th April (A. 0. H.). Hume Coll. 

 1. Moulmein, Burma. Hume Coll. 



