282 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



than the slight notice in Temniinck j but we prefer this hazard to 

 that of multiplying species. 



1 1 In this section the whole bird, when adult, in summer, is either 



black or dusky. 



BLACK TERN, or STERN. 



(Sterna nigra, Lin. Lath. Ind. ii. p. 810. sp. 24. Temm. Man. 

 d'Orn. ii. p. 749. Bonap. Synops. No. 289. Richard. North. 

 Zool. ii. p. 415. S. Jissipes, Gmel. sp. 7. S. obscura, Ib. Lath. 

 Ind. sp. 25. Short-Tailed Tern, (S. plumbca.) Wilson, vii. p. 83. 

 pi. CO. fig. 3. [young.] Black Tern, Penn. Arct. Zool. ii. p. 525. No. 

 450. Brown Tern, Lath. Syn. Guifette noire, ou Epouvontail. 

 Buff. Ois. viii. p. 341. PI. Enlum. 333. [adult.] Phil. Museum, 

 No. 3519.) 



Sp. Charact. — Bill slender and black; tail slightly forked; feet 

 blackish-brown ; tarsus from 7 to 8 lines ; webs of the toes deeply 

 sinuated. — Summer plumage, wholly blackish-ash. Winter dress 

 lead color, with the head and neck deep black ; front, throat, and 

 vent white. Young white; nape blackish ; back, wings, and tail, 

 brownish, skirted with dilute, or soiled rufous- white. 



This is another aquatic bird common to the northern 

 recrions of both continents, extending its residence to the 

 limits of the Arctic circle ; breeding in the fur countries of 

 the interior upon the borders of lakes and in swamps. It is 

 also very common in Holland and in the great marshes of 

 Huncrary, and has been observed round the salt lakes of 

 Siberia and Tartary. In Europe it is met with as far as 

 Iceland. In all situations it appears to prefer the borders 

 of rivers, lakes, or marshes, to the vicinity of the sea, ex- 

 cept when engaged in its migrations. 



The Stern is a common summer inhabitant of England, 

 appearing, according to Montagu, in Romney Marsh, in 

 Kent, about the latter end of April, breeding on the sedgy 

 borders of pools, and though very near to the sea, they are 



