The Terns. 



197 



THE 



ARCTIC TERN. 



ySti'rna macynra.) 



See p. ig6. 



A slii^htly smaller species than the Common Tern, and 

 having the hill entirel)' coral-red without any hlack tip. 'Ihe 

 tarsus is shorter than in the last-named species and does not 

 exceed the length of the middle toe without the claw. The 

 wings reach to the tip of the tail and the latter does not exceed them. The black 

 cap is only assumed during summer, and the winter plumage resembles that of the 

 Common Tern. It is a maritime species and is rather more northerly in its nesting- 

 range than the Common Tern, and replaces that species in the north of Scotland ; it also 

 breeds in Ireland along with S. flnviatilis. It nests in the high north of both the Old 

 and New Worlds, and in winter occurs on the coasts of South America and Africa. 



In habits the Arctic Tern does not differ from its ally, and the nest is a depression 

 in the shingle or moss, with a little dead grass for a lining in the latter situation. 

 The eggs are very similar to those of the Common Tern, but are often more spotted ; 

 they measure one-inch-and-three-eighths to one-inch-and-three-quarters in length. 



The Roseate Tern. 



The Sandwich Tern. 



THE 



ROSEATE TERN. 



{Stfrnn doni^alli.) 



The slender and graceful form of this Sea- Swallow, with the 

 black bill, orange only at the base of the mandible, and the rosy 

 blush on the breast, distinguish the species from its allies. The 

 inner webs of the primaries are also white up to the tips. The 

 Roseate Tern used to breed in several localities in England and Ireland, but of late 

 years its nesting places have become more restricted, though it occasionally nests on 

 the Fames and on the coast of Wales. It breeds in many parts of North America 

 and in certain localities in Europe and in the Indian Ocean as well as in Northern 

 Australia. It is also found in many of the southern seas in winter. In habits it 

 resembles the other Terns and makes a similar depression in the sand for the 



