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BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



arctic Zcvn. 



The Arctic Tern (S/erna Arctica^ Temminck) is a summer 

 migrant to the British Islands. It is also found nesting 

 in the Circumpolar Region, moving in autumn southward 

 along the coasts of the Atlantic to Africa. The adult in 

 summer resembles to a great exten-t Sterna hirundo in 

 colouration of plumage, but the upper parts are darker, 

 and the tarsi are much shorter. The bill is uniform coral- 

 red. Length, about fifteen inches. The female is a shade 

 less in size. 



