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CHAPTERS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY 



A Skimmer has the proximal half of its bill a bright carmine 

 red, the balance being black. But the curious form of this bird's 

 beak is what commands the attention of every one who may 

 study the species. " Among the singular bills of birds/' says 

 a writer, " that frequently excite our wonder, that of the skim- 

 mers is one of the most anomalous. The under mandible is much 

 longer than the upper, compressed like a knife-blade; its end is 

 obtuse; its sides come abruptly together, and are completely 



FIG. 52. THE BLACK SKIMMER. 



About one-third the size of life. 



soldered; the upper edge is as sharp as the under, and fits a 

 groove in the upper mandible; the jawbone, viewed apart, looks 

 like a short-handled pitchfork. The upper mandible is also com 

 pressed, but less so, nor is it so obtuse at the end; its substance 

 is nearly hollow, with light cancellated structure, such as is in a 

 toucan; it is freely movable by means of an elastic hinge at the 

 forehead." 



