GLEANINGS. 617 



southern species, sometimes reaching New Jersey. The 2 

 or 3 eggs, 2.72x1.72, are white or buffy, spotted and 

 blotched with dark brown and a lighter shade. 



The Sandwich Tern {Sterna ca/itiaca), some 15.50 long, 

 known by its pale, silvery mantle, and its black bill tipped 

 with yellow, is also a southern species. 



The Least Tern {Sterna superciliaris), only 8 or 9 inches 

 long, with w^hite forehead, and light pearly mantle extend- 

 ing over the tail, reaches Massachusetts, breeding generally 

 southward on the Atlantic. 



The Sooty Tern {Sterna fuliginosa), some 16 inches 

 long, is brownish-black; under parts, outer web of out- 

 side tail-feathers and forehead, white. It is abundant in 

 Florida. 



The Noddy Tern {Aiwus stolidus), about 16 inches long, 

 dark colored, darker on the wings and tail, lighter on the 

 head and neck, and always noticeable by means of its white 

 crown, is also an abundant southern species. 



Our Wild Pigeon {Ectopistes viigratorius)^ some 16 inches 

 long, is dull blue above, with olivaceous on the back; dull 

 red below, whitening toward the under tail-coverts; neck 

 Avith a fine golden and ruby iridescence; black spots in the 

 wing-coverts; tail bluish-black in the middle and white or 

 ashy outside; the female more olivaceous above, and dull 

 grayish beneath. Once astonishingly abundant, fairly 

 darkening the air in its migrations, it is now much thinned 

 out in Eastern North America. 



The Pinnated Grouse, or Prairie Hen {Cupidonia cupido)^ is 

 19 inches long and 27 in extent; upper parts transversely 

 marked with black and reddish-brown; under parts with 

 broad, distinct bars of dark brown and white; two little 

 wings on the sides of the neck, under which are two round, 

 inflated sacks. Female lighter, and without the neck-wings 



