630 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



14. to 17 inches; wings, 10 inches; tail, (j| to 8J inches, forked 

 for 4 to 5 inches. Breeds south to Massachusetts. 



S. dougalli, Montag. (paradisea Abbott's Catalogue.) Roseate Tern. 



Both webs of outer tail feathers all white ; in summer, silvery 

 gray above, pinkish below (fades to white in dried specimens) ; 

 top of head black ; bill black, with red base ; feet red (in life) ; 

 in winter, less black on fore part of head. 



" This species visits us during the summer, from the South. 

 Is always a rare bird in New Jersey, but is more common during 

 some summers than others." 



S. fuliginosa, Gmel. (portlandica, Ridg.) Sooty Tern. 



Mantle and middle tail feathers blackish, outer ones white ; 

 forehead, sides of head and lower parts white ; upper parts, bill, 

 and feet black; less white in young. Length, 15 to 17 inches; 

 wings, 12 inches; tail, 7 inches, forked nearly half way. A 

 tropical species. 



" Rare. Is seldom seen at any time, and only during the 

 summer, off the coast. Does not breed in the State." 



S. antillamm, Less, (super ciliaris, frenata.) Least Tern. 



In summer, pearl gray above ; white below, and a crescent on 

 forehead ; top of head and lateral stripes black ; bill yellow, 

 with dark tip ; feet orange yellow ; in winter, yellows paler, and 

 black of head gives way to white anteriorly. Length, 9 inches ; 

 wings, 6 J inches ; tail, 3J inches, forked half way. 



"Arrive about middle of April. Breed, depositing eggs on 

 the sand. Ascend our rivers. Disappear by October 1st." 



HYDROOHBLIDON, Boie. 



H. nigra, var. surinamensis, Gmel. (plumbea.) American Black Tern. 



Toes not full webbed ; head and lower parts all black in sum- 

 mer, white in winter ; upper parts leaden, more brown in young. 

 Length, 10 inches ; wings, 8 inches ; tail, 3f inches, forked less 

 than 1 inch. 



" Very abundant during the summer, not only about our sea- 

 board, but inland. Are more numerous inland, about Raritan 

 Bay, than in the Delaware. Breed in the salt meadows about 



