Vol. xxiii.] 76 



were two nests of Grackles and one of the inevitable 

 English Sparrow. 



14. Nearer view of the nest, plainly showing the old bird 



and the differently marked pencilled plumage of the 

 young. 



15. Showing the old bird calling with its crest raised as a 



neighbour swerves past. 



II. Skimmers or Scissor-bills [Rhynchops nigra), a common 

 species inhabiting the west coast of Tropical South 

 America^ and also extending to the southern parts 

 of the United States. 



1. A nest containing two eggs and one young bird — the 



eggs being plainly visible, whereas the young bird 

 is invisible by reason of its protective plumage, 

 resembling the surrounding sand. 



2. Skimmer, front view. The pointed bill being directed 



straight towards the camera, its peculiarities are not 

 seen. 



3. Skimmer on its nest, half front view, showiug the 



inequality in length of the upper and lower mandibles. 



4. Skimmer disturbed, about to leave the nest. Here 



the protruding lower mandible is quite 1;^ in. longer 

 than the upper. One young bird is newly hatched, 

 and an egg may be seen protruding from beneath 

 the mother's breast feathers. 



5. Skimmer about to take flight, showing the anxious 



expression in her eye, the open bill, and raised 

 wings and tail. The chick is now seen in profile, 

 showing that when it is newly hatched the mandibles 

 are of equal length. 



6. Skimmer feeding. As it flies swiftly along against 



the incoming tide, the lower mandible cleaves the 

 water and acts as a plough. Photographs of this 

 performance are very hard to obtain, as the bird 

 only begins to feed at dusk. 



7. Skimmers in flight, showing the normal position of 



the bill. 



