374 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



IRoeeatc Zcvn. 



-pUf/C^f 



The Roseate Tern {^Sterna Dougalli, Montagu) was at one 

 time a fairly numerous summer visitor to the British 

 Islands. This tern is found in most parts of the tem- 

 perate and tropical regions of the two hemispheres. The 

 adult in summer plumage has the back and wings pearly- 

 grey; upper tail -coverts, tinged with grey; outer web of 

 first primary feather, black; remainder, greyish; whole of 

 inner webs with a streak of greyish next the shaft; other 

 portions of quills, white; tail, greyish-white and forked, the 

 outside feathers reaching about three inches beyond 

 primaries ; forehead, crown, and occiput, rich black ; re- 

 mainder of plumage, white, tinged on breast with a rosy 

 hue ; irides, dark hazel ; bill, red, towards tip, black ; legs 

 and feet, red. Length, from fifteen to seventeen inches. 

 The female resembles the male. 



