135 



RHYNCHOPS. SKIMMER. 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum capite longior, rec- 

 tum, compressum, apice 

 truncato; mandibula su- 

 periore multo breviore, in- 

 feriore apice truncato. 



Nares lineares. 

 Cauda furcata. 

 Pedes graciles, digito postico 

 minuto. 



Beak longer than the head^ 

 straight, compressed, its 

 tip truncated; the upper 

 mandible much shorter 

 than the under, which has 

 its apex also truncated. 



Nostrils linear.^ 



Tail forked. 



Leg-s slender, the hinder toe 

 minute. 



RHYNCHOPS. Linn., Gmel., Lath., &c. 

 RYGCHOPSALIA. Briss. 

 PLOTUS. Klein. 



The Skimmers are distinguished from all other 

 birds by the very extraordinary form of their beak, 

 which has its upper mandible considerably shorter 

 than their under, and grooved beneath, so as to re- 

 ceive the edge of the lower, which is extremely thin ; 

 the sides of both mandibles have several slight fur- 

 rows : the nostrils are large and pervious, and placed 

 in a hollow near the base and edge of the upper man- 

 dible, where it projects greatly over the lower. The 



