1870.] REEKS — ON BIRDS OF NEWFOUNDLAM>. 409 



which I think will prove to be this species.^ As the species of 

 some of the Larldce in immature plumage ar3 not easily deter- 

 mined, even by naturalists, there is room to doubt the testimony 

 of fishermen, as well as my own, as to the identity of C. Philadel- 

 phia with the provincial name "tickler;" at the same time I think 

 it would be negligent on my part not to mention (he evidence in 

 favor of its occurrence on the coast of Newfoundland. Because 

 so celebrated an ornithologist as Audubon did not see it, there is 

 no reason why another person may not. 



Kittiwahe GnU, Eissa tridactylus (Linn,) — Tolerably com- 

 mon, especially in its periodical migrations. 1 did not hear of any 

 breedino; station on the island. 



luov}/ Gull, Pagophila eburnea (^Gmelin.) — A very rare period- 

 ical migrant on the X. W. coast of Newfoundland. Two were ob- 

 tained at Parson's Pond in January 1867, and another in January 

 1868; they were brought to me for identification, being unknown 

 to the settler who shot them, and who, strange to say, killed all 

 the three specimens. They were shot during a gale from the S. E., 

 so that they must have flown across the island, which is narrow at 

 this part, and not more than fifty miles from water to water. 



Sabine's Gidl ov Fork-tailed 6'i(Z/, Xema Sabinii (^Saline). — 

 A periodical visitor, but not common at Cow Head. 



Caspian Tern. Sterna caspia, Pallas. — A tolerably common 

 summer migrant, and breeds on many of the islands along the 

 coast : I obtained eggs in the Bay of St. Paul. The settlers call 

 it the '-'mackerel bird." 



Wilson's Tern, S. Wilsoni, Bonap. — The most abundant species 

 on that part of the coast which I visited. It arrives early in June, 

 congregating and breeding on the coast islands as well as the main- 

 land. 



Arctic Tern, S. macrura, Nawnan. — Hare at Cow Head ; 

 otherwise I confused it with the preceding species. Both are 

 called '' steerings " by the settler — a name which their cry sug- 

 gests. Some few small islands round the coasts of Newfoundland 

 have been named " Steering" Islands from the number of terns 

 which breed on them, althouiih the name susjrest a nautical 

 derivation. 



"" There is certainly a possibility that the American Black headed 

 Gull ( Chroicocephalus atriciUa) goes farthernorth than Massachusetts, 

 and visits the coasts of XewfoundlaucI ; perhaps in company with C. 

 PhilacMphia. 



