292 



LONG-AVINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



Sterna Forsteri. 



FORSTER'S TERN. 



Sterna hirundo, Sw. & Eicn. F. B. A. II. 1831, 412 (not of Linn.). 



Sterna Forsteri, Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 274 (footnote).— Lawii. in Baird'.s B. N. Am. 1858, 862.— 



Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 185!), no. G91. — CoUKS, Key, 1872, 321 ; Check List, 1873, no. 566 ; 



2d ed. 1882, no. 798 ; Birds N. W. 1874, 676. — Kidgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 685. 

 Sterna Ilavclli, ArD. Orn. Biog. V. 1839, 122, pi. 409, tig. 1 (young in winter) ; Synop. 1839, 318 ; 



B. Am. VIII. 1844, 103, pi. 434. — Lawr. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858,861. — Baiiid, Cat. N. 



Am. B. 1859, no. 686. 



Hab. North America generally, breeding from interior of British America south to the Poto- 

 mac River, Illinois, Southern Texas, Nevada, California, etc. ; migrating south to Brazil. 



Sp. Char. Adult, i7i summer : Pileum and nape deep black. Upper parts, including rump 

 and tail, light pearl-gray, the primaries and tail paler and more silvery, the inner webs of the 



\ 



Xs 



:^^tlSf 



outer pair of rectrices usually darker (sometimes quite dusky) for that portion beyond the tip of 

 the next feather. Inner webs of primaries without any well-defined white s])ace, except on two 

 outer quills, but the edge usually more or less dusky. Tips of secondaries, anterior upper tail- 

 coverts, sides and under part of head and neck, and entire lower parts pure white. Bill dull waxy 



Adult in lointer. 



orange, the terminal third or more blackish, with the tip usually paler; mouth orange ; edges of 

 eyelids black ; iris dark brown ; legs and feet very fine orange-red, the claws black. Adult, in 

 winter : Similar, but tlie head and neck white, the occijnit and nape nnire or less tinged with gray- 

 ish, the sides of the head marked Ijy a broad space of black surrounding the eyes and extending 



