636 WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. 



Abyssinia ; while in winter it is found in flocks on the marshes and 

 " vleys " of Africa down to the Transvaal and Damara-land. During 

 summer it inhabits Asia, from the Caspian to the Amur, Mongolia 

 and Northern China ; and it has occurred in Ceylon, though rare on 

 the mainland of India. In winter it passes down Eastern Asia and 

 islands to North Australia ; while two examples in full nuptial dress 

 were shot in the province of Nelson, New Zealand, on December 

 1 2th 1868. In North America an adult was obtained on Lake 

 Koskonong, Wisconsin, on July 5th 1873 ; and Col. Feilden shot a 

 young bird in Barbados on October 24th 1888. 



This gregarious species nests in marshes, and may sometimes be 

 found in company with the Black Tern, for instance in Central 

 Europe, where, however, the latter predominates ; but in Southern 

 Russia large and distinct colonies are formed. The eggs, deposited 

 on floating vegetation in Mayor June, are 3 in number, and resemble 

 those of the Black Tern : measurements i"35 by i in. The flight 

 of this Tern is more rapid and its cry is harsher than that of the 

 preceding species ; the food consists of dragon-flies and other aquatic 

 insects. 



The adult in summer has the head, neck and back glossy black, 

 in strong contrast to the white on the carpal joint of the wing ; 

 greater wing-coverts pearl-grey, and secondaries lead-grey ; primaries 

 frosted with pearl-grey, which soon wears off, leaving the outer webs 

 sooty-black ; upper tail-coverts and tail pure white, the latter very 

 slightly forked ; under-parts black, with a brownish tinge on the 

 belly ; vent white ; under wing-coverts and axillaries black : bill livid 

 red : legs and feet orange-red, and webs very much indented. 

 Length 9*3 in. (bill i*i), wing 8*2 in. After the autumn moult 

 the head, neck, and under-parts (inclusive of the wing-coverts) are 

 white, and the mantle and tail are grey. The young bird — which 

 resembles the adult in winter-plumage, though at first mottled wdth 

 brown on the upper parts — may be distinguished from immature 

 H. fiigra by its shorter bill, longer toes with more deeply incised 

 webs, paler rump and tail, and more defined wedge of white on the 

 inner webs of each primary. The feathers on the carpal joint and 

 of the tail do not become pure white until the third year. 



The late G. R. Gray erroneously identified this species with the 

 Sterna nigra which Linnceus described as " found on the small reedy 

 islands about Upsala," and which was, of course, the Black Tern. 

 Being considered an authority on nomenclature, especially by 

 foreigners, his unfortunate precedent has been only too widely 

 followed, and has occasioned much confusion. 



