SKIMMER. 97 



two middle feathers black ; the next on each side the same, margined 

 outwardly with white; the four outer white, dashed with dusky 

 down the shafts, but least so on the outmost feathers ; legs weak, 

 red, claws crooked, black ; the greater quills exceed the secondaries 

 by eight inches at least ; and the wings, when at rest, are longer than 

 the tail by three inches. 



Both sexes are nearly alike ; but some birds are brown instead of 

 black, and the white less pure. These are probably young. 



This singular bird inhabits America, from New York to Guiana, 

 Cayenne, and Surinam ; and extends to Paraguay, Buenos Ay res, 

 and Brazil. The Guaranis call it Hati-guazu, from its having a 

 forked tail, like Hatis or Tern ; the Spaniards Rayador, Breaker, or 

 Cutter, from its dividing or cutting the water with the bill ;# known 

 in Guiana by the name of Taya-Taya ; and at New York, Skippog ; 

 and by some the Razor-bill. It flies generally close to the surface 

 of the water, with the under mandible in the water, and the gape 

 wide open, so that on meeting with any prey the mouth is immedi- 

 ately closed ; the food supposed to be small fish principally, and it 

 is rarely seen otherwise than on the wing, though in stormy weather 

 it is said to seek the shores : mostly found single, or in pairs, except 

 in breeding time; it can swim well, but walks ungracefully. 



They breed along the shores of Cape May, in New Jersey, and 

 form themselves, early in June, into small societies, 15 or 20 pairs, 

 frequently breeding within a few yards of each other; the nest a 

 mere hollow in the sand; the female lays three eggs, nearly oval, of 

 a clear white, with large, round, brownish black spots, and others 

 like pale Indian ink ; half a bushel, or more, has sometimes been 

 collected from one sand bar, within the compass of half an acre. 

 They have somewhat of a fishy taste, but are eaten by many people ; 

 the voice is harsh and screaming, resembling that of a Tern, but 



* The report of these birds frequenting the oyster beds, and feeding- on them, is said to 

 be without foundation. 



VOL. X. O 



