Terns scarcely ever share the carrion-eating propensities of gulls, 
but capture their prey alive, either on the wing, or if in water by ae! 
ing. Small fishes, shrimp, and aquatic insects are taken by partial diving, 
and a variety of insects by sweeping them out of the air. The black tern 
is more pronouncedly insectivorous than the others. 
All the gulls and terns here mentioned are protected by Federal law. 
The black skimmer, related to terns and as large as any of our 
es, is a peculiar and striking bird that may sometimes be seen about 
marshes. . It breeds on beackes and bare islands as far north as New 
sey, and winters from Florida (occasionally South Carolina) southward. 
t is dusky brown above, with the forehead, lower parts, and the hind bor- 
der of the wing feathers as seen in flight, white. The bill, its most 
peculiar feature, is much longer than the head, flattened from side to 
Side like a knife, witn the lower part projecting considerably beyond the 
upper. The bird often flies close over the surface, with the flattened 
bill ploughing through the water, a habit that nas suggested the names 
"cutwater", and "shearwater". The food is small. fishes, so far as known 
of kinds not used by man. Skimmers are wonderfully good fliers, and flocks 
carry ov elaborate maneuvers in swift unison. One is tempted to call the 
flocks "packs", as a common call of the birds sounds like the yelping of 
dogs. 
Ducks, Geese, Swans 
Breeding ducks of the salt marshes include, as previously mention- 
ed, the black duck and the blue-winged tool. In migration a large number 
alk additional species may be seen for which in this leaflet it is hardly 
practicable to detail recognition marks These can be recognized as ducks 
even by those with the least oe al experience. They are the pre- 
cious survivors of a very important group of American birds, now so greatly 
reduced in numbers cane some of the en ceies are in danger of being exter- 
minatea and all need earnest and sympathetic attention. 
The mergansers, or fish ducks, not being hunted, have held their. num- 
bers better; and, because of its preference also, the red-breasted merganser 
likely to de seén in salt water. Its narrow saw-toothed bill and crested 
head, though shared with other mergansers, are characteristic. The male has 
am gmeenish black head and back, white neck and wings, a reddish brown and 
spotted woper breast, and finely barred black and white Sides. The female 
_and young are much Se teen with the head and neck cinnamon, and the back 
grayisn brown. It may occur in winter anyxhere eee the coast, but in the 
Hest does not breed south of Massachusetts. 
Two of the goose tribe should be mentioned: the Canada goose and the 
Snow goose. The Canada goose is mostly brownish gray, the underparts paler, 
and the hend and neck black, with a well-marked white throat patch. his is 
our most common goose, and because it breeds mostly far to the north away 
from man's influences and has great natural sngacity and wariness, it has 
held its numbers very well. It is the species usvally seen flying in V-for- 
mation, as it migrates more by day than do the others. Its well known call 
