270 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



drift grass, preparing no artificial nest, laying 3 or 4 eggs 

 of a greenish-olive, spotted with brown. The voice of this 

 species is sharper and stronger than that of the Common 

 Tern. 



The length of the Marsh Tern is about 14 inches ; and 34 in alar 

 stretch. Plumage of spring and the nuptial season; with the whole 

 upper part of the head and nape black ; the rest of the body ashy- 

 white, except the points of the quills wliich are a little darker. Line 

 from the nostril under the eye, and all the lower parts, white. The 

 wings extend upwards of 2 inches beyond the tail. Legs and feet 

 black. The young of the year have a few longitudinal spots on the 

 top of the head, tints of brown, ash and pale yellowish are also 

 mingled with the bluish-ash of the back and wings : the tail is also 

 but little forked, cinereous, with the points of the feathers white. 

 Quills ashy-brown. All the parts below white. The base of the bill 

 yellowish, the remainder towards the point blackish-brown. Feet 

 brown. 



