1848.] 129 



This noble species so abundant on our southern coast, has for a long time been 

 considered the S. cayana of Latham, notwithstanding its disparity with his de- 

 scription both in size and colouration. It seems to me that the Cayenne Tern 

 must have been founded upon the immature plumage of one of the yellow-billed 

 species of the Brazilian coast, since described by Lichtenstein, probably the 

 S. magnirostris. 



Young birds of our species would agree pretty well with the erythrorhyncha 

 of Brazil, described by the Prince De Wied, as they are somewhat smaller and less 

 proportioned, yet we hesitate to give it that name, until its identity can posi- 

 tively be proved, particularly as the Terns of that coast are peculiar. 



The representative of the regia in the old world, is the S. velox of Riippell, 

 though quite distinct. 



Sterna elegans, Gamb. 



Adult male With the general plumage of S. regla ,• length, 17 in. : of wing, 



12 gin. : of outer tail feathers, 6 and 8-lOths in. : tarsus, 1 and 1-lOth in. : middle 

 toe and nail, 1 and2^-10ths in.: bill bright red, along the ridge 2 and 6-lOth in. : 

 from corner of mouth, 3 and 3-lOths in. : from symphysis to point beneath, ]^ 

 in. : depth at commencement of feathers, 5-lOths in. 



This elegant species differs from the former not only in proportions, but in 

 the delicate hue of the under parts, which are of a satiny cream colour when 

 living, but faded very much in the dried specimen. 



The bill is of the same colour as in the regia, and as long, but much more slender; 

 the prominent angle beneath half an inch farther from the point, and the depth at 

 base two tenths of an inch less. Wings two and a half inches shorter, but of the 

 same colour in every respect. Legs pure black, the tarsus nearly as long as in 

 the former, but the toes much shorter. Tail long, pure white and deeply forked, 

 whole top of head from the bill, pure black, extending into an ample flowing 

 crest as in the former species. 



The representative of this species in the old world is the S, affinis, Riippell, but it 

 differs from that species in nearly the same respects as S, regia does from S. velox. 

 I procured this species on the Pacific coast of Mexico, particularly at Mazatlan 

 at the mouth of the Gulf of California. It is exceedingly delicate in its plumage, 

 and graceful in its mode of flight. I found them congregated in numbers on the 

 sandy shoals of the Bay in the month of April, uttering as they flew a grating 

 Kingfisher-like note. 



The Report of the Corresponding Secretary for November and De- 

 cember was read and adopted. 



The Annual Report of the Recording Secretary was read and 

 adopted. 



The Annual Report of the Treasurer was read and referred to the 

 Auditors. 



The Librarian read the following report, which was ordered to be 

 published. 



