86 



ALBATROSSES. 



inhabits the western hemisphere. Skimmers are unique both in the 

 form of the bill and in their manner of foeilinj;^- Opening the moutii, 

 tlio bladolike lower mandible is dropped just beneath the surface of 

 the water ; then, flying rapidly, they may be said to literally " plow the 

 main '' in search of their food of small aquatic animals. 



80* Bynchops nigrtL Linn. Black Skimmkr; Scissor-kim. (sgo 

 Fijr. 8). J(/.— Forelieml, wides of the head, under parts, and tips of the sec- 

 onchiries wliito; upper parts and \vinj,'s black ; outer tail feathers white, inner 

 onus more or less hrowuish. L., 18-00 ; VV., 14-50 ; T., 4 75 ; B., li'tlO. 



Jia/iije. — Coasts of tlic wanner parts of Ainerica, brecdinj; ri'f,'ularly as far 

 north as southern New Jersey, and, after tlie breeding season, oceasionally 

 wandering northward as far as tlu; Bay of Fundy. 



Washington, A. V. Long Island, occasional in sninnier. 



JVest, a slight depression in the sand or shells of a beach. Ktfffn, three to 

 four, white or bully white, heavily blotched with chocolate, 1-80 x 1*35. 



A not uncommon species on our southern coasts, resembling other 

 members of this family in habits. 



If 



ORDER TUBINARES. TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. 



?! i 



Family Diomedeid^. Albatrosses. 



The Albatrosses, nund)ering eight or ten species, are confined chiefly 

 to the seas of the southern hemisphere. They are endnently pelagic 

 birds, possessed of untiring powers of flight. Four species visit our 

 Pacific coast, but on the Atlantic coast of North Ainerica Albatrosses 

 are almost unknown, and there are but few records of their occurrence. 



The Wani>kuin(» Albatross {80'1. Diomcdca eru/ans), the largest of all 

 sea birds, with an expanse of wing which measures from twelve to fourteen 

 feet, inliabits antarctic seas, but sonietinies wanders northward, and is said to 

 luive been seen in Tampa Bay, Florida. 



The Vkllow-nosei) Albatross (8.i. Thahoxnpernn rulminatus) is also a 

 soutliurn species which is said to have been taken once in Quebec (Chamber- 

 lain, NuttalPs Manual, ild ed., ii, p. 277). 



Family Procellariid^. Shearwaters and Petrels. 



The seventy known species of Petrels nre distributed over the seas 

 of the world. Some thirty species have been found in North America, 

 of which seven occur regularly on our Atlantic coast. Like their large 

 relatives, the Albatrosses, they are strictly pelagic, and visit the land 

 oidy to nest. The strong, swift flight of Shearwatt. ;, and the graceful 

 movements of the smaller " Mother Carey's Chickens," are familiar 

 sights to those who go "down to the sea in ships." 



