254 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [1895 



on the 6th. These nesting places had been visited by other 

 parties between my visits. 



Sterna hirundo (70). Common Tern. 



"In North America chiefly confined to the Eastern Provin- 

 ces, breeding variously throughout its range" (A. O. U.). Ap- 

 parently migratory, three specimens were taken on May 6 ('76, 

 Resler) out of a number seen at Patapsco marsh ; and on May 

 17 ('93), one was shot at the same place. On September 

 1 ('93, A. Wolle), four were shot out of about fifteen at Gun- 

 powder marsh, these I examined. 



Sometimes common, but an irregular migrant at Washington 

 (Richmond). 



Sterna paradisaea (71). Arctic Tern. 



Breeding from Massachusettes northward, this species comes 

 south in winter along the Atlantic coast at least as far as Vir- 

 ginia. 



Sterna dougalli (72). Eoseate Tern. 



This southern species, going regularly north in summer to 

 Maine, " doubtless breeds " at Cobb's Island (H. B. Bailey, 

 Auk, i, 24-28), and is a "rare straggler on the New Jersey coast 

 during summer ; formerly it is reported to have bred in consid- 

 erable numbers" (Birds E. P. and N. J., 47). 



Sterna antillarum (74). Least Tern. 



A summer resident in restricted localities, this species is usu- 

 ally seen during migrations. 



On June 13, ('94), I visited a nesting colony at the juncture 

 of Miles River with Eastern Bay, where, on a small island, I 

 found four sets of three ; twelve of two, and eight single eggs • 

 how many other nesting hollows it is impossible to say, as 

 they are so slight they show no signs of a nest until an egg is 

 deposited. During the fall of 1893, this species was noted at 

 Lake Roland on August 19 and 20, and September 3 and 

 4 (Fisher). 



