CASPIAN TERN. 



51 



that now the place is coiu]>aratively deserted. In the spring its 

 plumage is so perfect, and its Hight so light and graceful, that it 

 attracts notice wherever it appears. In Southern Ontario it is seen 

 only in small numbers, tlH> migt-atory route being mostly along the 

 sea coast. 



SuBFAMiLV STERNIN^ Tkrxs. 



Gems STERNA Lixn.eis. 



Subgenus THALASSEU8 Bone. 



STERNA TSCHEGRAYA LEPEni. 



L'.). Caspian Tern. (04) 



Adulf malt-: — Crown, sides of the liead, and hind head, hlack, glossed \\\\\\ 

 green: back and wings, light bhusli-gray ; tlie outer primaries, dai-k hluisli-gray 

 on the inner webs ; upper tail coverts and tail grayisii-white ; neck and lower 

 parts, pure white; bill, i-ich vermilion; legs and feet, l)lack ; tail, slightly 

 forked. Yoiuu/ : — Mottled and )>arred with tluU brown. Length, *2(» inches. 



Hab. — Xearly cosmopolitan; in North America breeding sf)utliward to 

 Virginia, Lake Michigan, Nevada and California. 



Eggs, two or three, laid in a ludlow in the sand ; pale olive buff, marked 

 with s]i(its (.if dark bi-own, and lilac of various shades. 



