m 



ZOOLOGY. 



S. Rynchops. Skimmer. Bill strait, the upper mandibl® 

 much the shortest, the lower one truncate at the tip ; 

 feet palmcted. 



Natives of America and Asia ; feeding on fish, which thej" 

 scoop out of the water whilst skimming over. 



9. Sterna, Tern or Sea-Swallow. Bill strait, slender, 

 sharp-pointed ; nostrils linear ; tongue sharp, slender ; 

 icings very long ; tail forked ; feet small, webbed, 

 hind toe small, distinct. 



Terns are abundant on most bold and rocky shores, they 

 are a noisy restless tribe, at constant war with the lesser 

 kinds of their own genus, as also with the smaller Gulls, from 

 which propensity they have acquired the name of Gull- 

 Teazer : these are pursued for the purpose of making them 

 disgorge their food, which is seized by the Tern before it 

 reaches the water ; they also devour fish, and any animal 

 matter they may find on the surface or margins of the sea. 

 All the species are exceedingly shy; they lay their eggs, 

 among shingle, on the sea shore, as also on the banks of salt- 

 water lakes or marshes. They are rarely obtained but by* 

 the gun. Several species are found in England and the ad- 

 jacent Islands. British Ornithology^ vols. 2, 3. The col- 

 lector will find it to his advantage to procure this family at 

 different periods of age, as most, if not all the kinds, do 

 not attain their full plumage till the third or fourth year. 



10. Larus. Gull. Bill strong, strait, but inclining down* 

 wards at the point, the lower mandible furnished with 



