184 



CHAPTERS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 



nearly related to such a Tern as the Arctic tern (Sterna para- 

 disvcu), while on the other hand the Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon 

 nilotica) more or less nearly approaches some of the stouter - 

 1'ormed gulls of the genus Larus. As for the Black skimmer 



FIG. 49. Ross's GULL (Rhodostethia rosea). (Reduced.) 



The upper figure is an adult male in winter plumage ; the lower one, a young female of the first 

 autumn. Drawn by the Author.* 



( l\i/nchops nigra), I have elsewhere called attention to what is by 

 no means either an uninteresting nor insignificant fact, that in 

 some parts of its osteology it bears a striking resemblance to that 



*In making this drawing I was assisted by the two plates (colored) of Mr. John L. Ridgway, il- 

 lustrating the " Report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska," by Lieut. P. 

 H. Ray, U.8 A. (Government). 



