Synopsis of Orders and Families. 



Family 6. SKIMMERS. RYNCHOPID^. 



Toes four, three front ones webbed; bill thin and blade like, the maxilla longer than 

 the mandible; tail slightly forked. 



Order II!. At.ratrosrer, Sheaewatees, Petrels, Etc. TUBI- 



NARES. 



(2 families, 30 species, 1 subspecies.) 



Sea-birds keeping:, as a rule, well off shore, and fiying- low, near the 



■water, often skimming over the waves. Bill, with upper mandible 



hooked; nostrils opening through tubes; wings long and pointed; tail 



short; feet webbed; hind-toe rudimentary or absent, e^olor usually 



gray or black and white; no bright markings. • 



BILL OF SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS. 



Family 7. ALBATROSSES. d:0MEDEID^. 



Nostril::; opening tnrough tubes, separated and on either side of the bill. 



FULMAR. 



LEACH PETREL. 



Family 8. FULMARS. PHTRELS AND SHEARWATERS. 

 Nostrils joined and situated on top of the bill. 



12 



PROCELLARI1D5. 



