286 LOXG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



According to Dr. Cooper, this Tern wanders in midsummer along the Pacific coast 

 as far north as the Columbia River. On the Atlantic it occasionally visits Long 

 Island and, more rarely, the islands of Southeastern Massachusetts, where a pair was 

 obtained in the summer of 1874 by Mr. C. J. IMaynard and Mr. William Brewster. 

 A few breed as far north as Southern Maryland, on its eastern shore. 



Late in July, 1879, Messrs. Ridgway and Henshaw met with this Tern in consid- 

 erable numbers at Cobb's Island, on the eastern shore of Virginia. It was in company 

 with S. caspia ; and the two species were confounded by the residents of the island 

 under the common name of " Gannet-strikers," or " Gannets." This species appeared 

 to be much the more numerous of the two. Mr. Ridgway visited the same locality 

 the following season (July, 1880), and found a colony numbering several thousands 

 breeding near the northern end of the island, their eggs covering thickly an area of 

 less than an acre in extent. 



This species occurs in several of the "West India islands. It was found breeding 

 in Cuba by Dr. Gundlach. In 1854 Professor Alfred Newton received from St. Croix 

 an example of this bird which had been killed on that island ; and he afterward not 

 infrequently saw Terns in that vicinity which he judged to be the same species. 

 Leotaud mentions this bird as being an occasional visitant of Trinidad ; the Terns 

 which are seen are chiefly in their immature plumage, appearing to be migratory 

 only, coming in August during the period of the wintry rains. They are also common 

 in Jamaica, where, according to Mr. Gosse, this is the most abundant species about 

 the Bay of Bluefields. 



Giraud states that this Tern, though rare on Long Island, is yet not entirely un- 

 known in that locality ; and he mentions the existence in private cabinets of two 

 specimens, shot at Islip. He also states that Mr. Bell has fi-om time to time received 

 other specimens procured at various points of the southern coast, near Raynor South, 

 and jMoriches, and in that vicinity. 



Dr. Cooper mentions this as the only species of Tern seen by him on the coast of 

 California, where it is abundant at all seasons. He did not, however, ascertain where 

 it breeds, and saw no locality which would seem favorable for this purpose. Even 

 San Nicolas, the only island lying far south to which it resorts, is too much infested 

 by foxes ; and there seemed to be no Terns on Santa Barbara, which is such a favor- 

 ite nesting-place for several other species. 



Mr. Henshaw does not think that the range of this Tern extends any farther 

 north than the coast of California, where it is of rather common occurrence. He saw 

 it near San Francisco, and received from Captain Forney a specimen which had been 

 obtained on the Island of San Miguel, where it is known to breed. 



This bird is usually observed flying in straight lines along the shores, or up and 

 down the bays, occasionally uttering a squealing cry, and often darting directly down 

 into the water as if shot, but generally emerging Avith a fish, which is immediately 

 swallowed, or, if too large, divided by its sharp cutting bill. This Tern is generally 

 a very shy and suspicious bird ; but if wounded, Avill strike boldly with its bill — being 

 much more pugnacious than are the tamer Gulls. Though it usually fishes singly, 

 yet it will associate in large flocks on its resting-place ; and when one of these birds 

 is wounded, all its companions will fly anxiously around in such proximity as to be 

 easily shot. 



In the autumn months Mr. Gosse used frequently to see individuals of this species 

 engaged in fishing on a reef about a quarter of a mile from the Jamaican shore. The 

 birds were solitary in their habits, and did not associate with others of their kind. 

 They would fly rapidly around in large circles high above the Avater, flapping their 



