NODDY. 285 



almost upon them. The species is migratory, however, even 

 in these mild climates. Along the coasts of Georgia and 

 Florida, Wilson observed them in nmnerous flocks in the 

 month of July. They were very noisy, darting down head- 

 long after small fish. This bird frequently settles on the 

 rigging of ships at sea, and, in common with the following 

 species is called by sailors the Noddy. 



The length of the Sooty Tern is about 17 inches ; the alar extent 

 about 3 feet 6 inches. Bill 1 ^ inches long, the upper mandible slightly 

 serrated near the point. Irids dusky. Forehead, as far as the eyes, 

 white. Whole lower parts and sides of the neck, white ; the rest of 

 the plumage black. Wings very long, when closed extending nearly 

 to the extremity of the tail, which is deeply forked ; the 2 exterior fea- 

 thers four inches longer than those in the middle, the whole black, 

 except the 2 outer feathers which are white, but a little blackish 

 towards their extremities on the inner vanes. Legs and feet black. 



NODDY. 



(Sterna stolida, Linx. et Lath. Boxap. Synops. No. 291. Hirondelle 

 de-vier hnine de la Louisiane, Buff. PI. Enlum. 997. Le JVoddij 

 Ibid. viii. p. 461. Noddy, Catf.sby, i. p. 88. Pexn. Arct. Zool. 

 ii. No. 44G. Passer stultus, Foolish Sparrow, Ray. Synops, 

 in loc.) 



Sp. CriARACT. — Bill black ; crown whitish; tail rounded; webs of 



the toes entire. 



This Common and well known species inhabits all parts 

 of the tropical seas, and migrates occasionally as far as the 

 coasts of the United States; at which times they are gen- 

 erally seen in flocks, and are by no means rare. Familiar 

 to mariners, who navigate in the equatorial regions, the 

 Noddy, like the voyager, frequents the open seas to the dis- 

 tance of some hundreds of leagues from the land, and with 



