LARINiE. STERNA. 
315 
outer more extensively ; the middle tail-coverts black, the lateral black 
on the inner, and white on the outer web ; a broad band of white over 
the forehead, extending to the fore part of the eye ; cheeks and throat 
of the same colour ; the rest of the -neck and lower parts in spring and 
autumn of a delicate cream-colour ; axillary feathers, lower wing- 
coverts, and a large portion of the secondary quills, white, the coverts 
along the edge of the wing black. Female smaller, similar to the male, 
but with the tail-feathers white, excepting a longitudinal band inclu- 
ding the shaft. After the first autumnal moult, there is on the hind 
part of the neck a broad band of white mottled with greyish-black ; 
the lower parts pure white, the upper of a duller black ; bill and feet 
less richly coloured. 
Male, 20, 48. Female, 16|, 44^. 
During winter, in vast multitudes on the coast of Florida. In sum- 
mer dispersed in large flocks from Texas to New Jersey, breeding on 
sand beaches or islands. In the evenings and at night ascends streams 
sometimes to the distance of one hundred miles. 
Black Skimmer or Shear-water, Rhynchops nigra, Wins. Amer. Orn. v. vii. p. 85. 
Rhincops nigra, Bonap. Syn. p. 352. 
Black Skimmer, Nutt. Man. v. ii. p. 264. 
Black Skimmer or Razor-billed Shear-water, Rhynchops nigra, Aud. Orn. Biog. 
y. iv. p. 203. 
GENUS II. STERNA, Linn. TERN. 
Bill longer than the head, rather stout or slender, nearly 
straight, compressed, very acute ; upper mandible with the 
dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge rather broad and convex 
at the base, gradually narrowed toward the end, sides con- 
vex, edges sharp and direct, tip acute ; nasal groove short ; 
lower mandible with the angle very narrow^) acute, extend- 
ing to the middle, the dorsal line straight, the sides slightly 
convex, nearly erect, the sharp edges inflected, the tips very 
acute. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, direct. Head rather 
large, oblong ; neck of moderate length and thick ; body 
slender. Feet short, moderately stout ; tibia bare for a 
considerable space ; tarsus short, roundish, covered all round 
with small scales ; first toe very small, third longest, fourth 
a little shorter ; anterior toes connected by emarginate 
webs. Claws slightly curved, compressed, acute. Plumage 
soft, close, blended, rather compact on the back and wings. 
