File:Report on the birds of Pennsylvania - with special reference to the food habits, based on over four thousand stomach examinations (1890) (20480125008).jpg

Title: Report on the birds of Pennsylvania : with special reference to the food habits, based on over four thousand stomach examinations
Identifier: commercialpoultr11 (find matches)
Year: 1890 (1890s)
Authors: Warren, Benjamin Harry, 1858-
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Harrisburg : E. K. Meyers, State Printer
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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v?" - .H a ⢠HO â +0 Q-) fen Cl <M 03 0 a )^ â¢^ â ^ niBJJS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 25 Genus RYNCHOPS Linn. Rynchops nigra Linn. Blank Skimmer. » Description. AdulL--Length about 19 inches ; extent about 50 inches. The upper mandible in specimen before me is nearly ^ of an inch shorter than the lower; both mandibles have obtuse ends, the lower being very blunt and rounded ; lower nuuulible much more flattened throughout its length than the upper ; both edges of lower mandible are sharp, and the upper edge fits in a groove, extending along the entire length of upper mandible. Forehead, lores, sides of head, chin, throat, front of neck and rest of under plumage, tips of secondaries, sides of upper tail coverts and greater part of ad white; crown back of neck, back, wings, most of rump and central tail feathers brownish-black; bill (dried skin) basal half yellowish (carmine in freshly killed specnnens), rest brownish-black ; tarsi and feet reddish-brown ; the black claws are ratlier long, sharp and curved. Habitat-Warmer parts of America, north on the Atlantic coast to New Jersey and casually to the Bay of Fundy. -'oisoy, This species is g-iven as a Pennsylvania bird on the authority of the late CD. Wood, of Pliiladelphia, from whom I obtained a single speci- inen which he assured me was shot by liimself near Philadelphia, shortly after a severe storm in September, 1880. This specimen is, I believe the only one of its species that has ever been recorded in the state In he summer of 1883-June and August-wlien visitin<? at Brigantine Bea^h, New Jersey, I saw a few of these birds in flocks of seven to twelve each. Fishermen and other residents of the pla^e informed me they bred every year in that locality. It is said that this species still breeds sparingly in New Jersey, which is, I have no doubt, about the northern limit of their breeding range. Black Skimmers wore quite plentitui on several islands along the eastern shore of Virginia where I remained for a few days in August, 1879. ORDER TUBINARES. TrBE-NOSED SWI.MMERS. Family PROCELLARIIDiE. Petrels, Etc. TilE PETRELS, ETC. ohT« " ""f^" "l ""â ' 'r"'^ *'" "'"'^"y ""«""=⢠â '"'»' <â «" individuals that have l,cen observed m Pennsylvania have all been found .luring or after stor.ns thit nve dnvcn hem inland. .⢠The plumage is compact and oily to resist water; the sexes XT:^, "'""â¢'"' "'"â """ "" '«'^°"'" <="»"««- -« determined; but some vari , r rh T',""" "" â """"⢠°' "" peculiarity, certainly occurs In many cases. The food ,s entirely of an animal nature, and fatty substances, in particular are eagerly devoured. When irritatc<l n.any species eject an oily luid Cn the mouth or nostnls and some are so fat as to be occasionally use,l for lanâs a wick bemg run through the body. The eggs are few, or only one, lahl in a r . c Is or COLOR PLATE

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