"One of three bird species, genus Rhynchops, in which the lower mandible of the
bill is longer and flatter than the upper, and fits into it like a penknife blade into its
handle. They are found on inland and coastal waters in the tropics, and are related
to the gulls and terns. They feed on small fish and other aquatic life taken from just
below the surface of the water by skimming it with the beak, hence their name."
George Riser's favorite description of the "lally-gaggin', Tinkers and
Tailors of the class of '47, was "Yer a bunch of SCISSORBILLS!".
We were proud of having earned this wonderful derogatory description,
even though we had no idea what it meant. We adopted the name for our
class.
Later, we read that the SCISSORBILL is a marine bird, much like a Frigate
Bird, or Albatross, that feeds by skimming the oceans' surface for small fish.
If you have the 2001 Roster, the scissorbill logo is on the back cover (see below).
Steaming as before.......
Bob Preston, '47
bobn4ctc@juno.com
