eyo The Bird 
together on their breeding-grounds,—low, sandy islands 
along our coast. The small, delicately pointed beak of 
the tern finishes off its neat appearance, and the entire 
bird is the personification of grace, as it dashes through 
the air, or plunges headlong into the sea,—to rise almost 
immediately with a 
small fish in its beak. 
The beak of the 
skimmer lends a heavy 
aspect to the whole 
bird. Itis long 
and high, and 
the lower man- 
Fie. 172.—Two-year-old Skim- 
mer, reared in captivity, 
showing abnormal growth 
of mandible, due to lack 
of friction against water. 
Fra. 171.—Bill of young Skimmer, showing under 
mandible already slightly the longer. 
dible extends a full inch beyond the upper. Both are 
as thin and as pliable as paper-knives. A unique method 
of obtaining food is the secret of this apparent deformity: 
the strong wings of the bird enable it to fly very close to 
