AnsEres. 81 



larger eud^ and numerous scattered specks of a rich reddish-brown 



colour." BULLER. 



116. Sterna antarctica. Forst. 



Common Teen. Tara. 



Ash-grey ; wLite over the tail ; top of the head and back of the uecli, black, margined 

 with -white ; tail, ash-grey ; bill, orange ; legs, red. 

 L., 10-5 ; W., 9 ; 15., 15 ; T., -75. 



l^gg- — Yellowish-grey, spotted with grey and brown; length, 1'5 ; breadth, I'l. 

 Sah. — Both Islands. 



" In the Canterbury Province it is particularly abundant, fre- 

 quenting all the river-courses and often spreading far over the plains. 

 Within a few miles of the City of Christchurch I Iiave observed it, in 

 large flights, folloAving the farmer's plough, and picking up grubs and 

 worms from the newly-turned earth. It also frequents the cornfields 

 and pastures, and, by devouring caterpillars and other insect pests, 

 proves itself a valuable friend to the agriculturist. 



'^ It is remarkably active on the wing, performing very rapid evo- 

 lutions, and often chasing its fellows in a playful manner and with 

 much vociferation. When resting on the ground the members of a 

 flock stand closely packed together, and may be seen constantly 

 stretching their wings upwards in the peculiar manner already noticed 

 in treating of Sterna frontalis.'^ — Buller. 



117. Sterna nereis. Gould. , 



LiTTiE Teen. Taea-iti. 

 Ash-grey ; forehead and over the eye, white ; a spot before the eye, and top of the head, 

 black ; tail, white ; bill and legs, orange. 

 L., 9; W., 7-25; B., 1-75; T., -7. 



l^gg. — White, spotted with pale grey ; length, 1"35 ; breadth, °9. 

 Hab. — Both Islands ; Australia, Tasmania. 



" This is the smallest of our Terns, and is the southern repre- 

 sentative of the Sterna minuta of Europe. It is tolerably common on 

 all our coasts, and occurs also very plentifully along the shores of 

 Western Australia. 



" It is very active in its movements, flies high, turns in the air 

 with facility, and dips into the water after its prey in a very adroit 

 manner." — Buller. 



HlDROCHELIDON. £oic\ 



Tail, euiarginate ; toes, united only at the base, the web (iontiuuing along the inner 

 margin of each toe ; hind toe, moderate. 



118. Hydrochelidon leueoptera. Temm. 



WniTE-wiNGED Teen. 

 Head, neck, breast, and abdomen, deep-black; back, gteyish-black ; (ail, wiiite ; quilL., 

 silver-grey, darker on the inner webs ; bill, reddish-black ; legs and feet, red. 

 L., 9 ; W., 8-75 ; B., 1 ; T., -75 ; tail, 315. 

 Sah. — Europe, Australia. Occasional visitant. 



6 



