BLACK SKIMMER. 205 
Lesson, I paid all imaginable attention to them, always aided with 
an excellent glass, in order to find whether or not they fed on bivalve 
shell-fish found in the shallows of sand-bars and other places at low 
water ; but not in one single instance did I see any such occurrence, and 
in regard to this matter I agree with Wrtson in asserting that, while 
with us, these birds do not feed on shell-fish. M. Lesson’s words are 
as follows :—“ Quoique le Bec-en-ciseaux semble defavorisé par la 
forme de son bec, nous acquimes la preuve qu'il savait s’en servir avec 
avantage et avec la plus grande adresse. Les plages sabloneuses de 
Peuce sont en effect remplies de Mactres, coquilles bivalves, que la 
marée descendente laisse presque 4 sec dans des petites mares; le 
Bec-en-ciseaux trés au fait de cet phenomene, se place aupres de ces 
mollusques, attend que leur valves s’entrouvrent un peu, et profite 
aussitot de ce movement en enforcant la lame inferieure et tranchante 
de son bec entre les valves qui se reserrent. L’oiseaux enleve alors 
la coquille, la frappe sur la greve, coupe le ligament du mollusque, et 
peut ensuite avaler celui-ci sans obstacle. Plusieurs fois nous avons 
été temoins de cet instinct trés perfectionne¢.” 
While watching the movements of the Black Skimmer as it was 
searching for food, sometimes a full hour before it was dark, I have 
seen it pass its lower mandible at an angle of about 45 degrees into 
the water, whilst its moveable upper mandible was elevated a little above 
the surface. In this manner, with wings raised and extended, it 
ploughed as it were, the element in which its quarry lay to the extent 
of several yards at a time, rising and falling alternately, and that as 
frequently as it thought it necessary for securing its food when in 
sight of it; for I am certain that these birds never immerse their lower 
mandible until they have observed the object of their pursuit, for which 
reason their eyes are constantly directed downwards like those of Terns 
and Gannets. I have at times stood nearly an hour by the side of a 
small pond of salt water having a communication with the sea or a bay, 
while these birds would pass within a very few yards of me, then ap- 
parently quite regardless of my presence, and proceed fishing in the 
manner above described. Although silent at the commencement of 
their pursuit, they become noisy as the darkness draws on, and then 
give out their usual call notes, which resemble the syllables hurh, hurk, 
twice or thrice repeated at short intervals, as if to induce some of their 
companions to follow in their wake. I have seen a few of these birds 
