324 FOREIGN BIRDS, 



The restless Black-Skimmer ( 8 ) swept often along ; 

 And the Barbet( 9 ) was heard with his turtle-dove 

 song. 



breast and belly dusky-white. It inhabits India, and particu- 

 larly the Island of Ceylon ; it constructs a very curious nest by 

 sewing the edges of one or more leaves together, so as to form a 

 conical repository for its eg«s and young; the eggs are while, 

 not much larger than what are called ants' eggs. For further 

 particulars concerning this bird's nest, see the Introduction. 



( 8 ) OKDER, ANSEBES, (Ll'nW.)SKIMMEK. 



The genus Rh ynchops, (Linn.) or Skimmer, consists of one 

 species only, 



The Nigra, Bi.ack-Skimmer, Breaker, Cutter, or Skippog. 

 The bill is straight, the upper mandible much shorter than the 

 under; size of the black guillemot; length eighteen inches; 

 breadth three feet ; tail forked ; body blackish, beneath white; 

 front and chin white; wings with a transverse white band; 

 legs red. Another variety tawny. This bird is perpetually 

 flying about and skimming over the water, out of which it 

 scoops small fish with its lower mandible. Inhabits all 

 South America, and the southern parts of North America, 

 and also the East Indies. Nest a mere hollow in the 

 sand ; eggs three, white, with large round blackish spots, others 

 like pale Indian pink. They lay near to each other, in societies 

 of from 1.5 to 20 pairs ; half a bushel of eggs have been col- 

 lected in New Jersey within the compass of half an acre; they 

 have a fishy taste, but are nevertheless eaten. Voice harsh 

 and screaming. This bird is migratory in New Jersey. 



( 9 ) Order, Pic^e, (Linn.) Barbet, the Beautiful, the 

 Yellow-cheeked, &c. 



The genus Bccco, (Linn.) or Barbet, compreheuds twenty- 

 nine species, chiefly inhabitants of Guiana, and found almost 

 universally in warm climates. The bill is strong, straightish. 



