3. GELOCHELIDON. 29 



frosting has worn off ; a distinct white wedge on the upper part of 

 the inner web of the outer primary, but smaller and less defined 

 in the succeeding flight-feathers ; shafts of the four outer pairs of 

 j)rimarics white ; lower half of the lores, chin, and entire underparts 

 white : biU black, occasionally reddish at the base of the lower 

 mandible ; iris hazel-brown ; tarsi and toes black, with a reddish 

 tinge; webs moderately indented. Total length 14-5 to 15-5 

 inches, culmen 1-S to 2, wing 12 to 13, tail 5-5 to 6, depth of fork 

 1-5, tarsus 1-45, middle toe and claw 1'25. 



Adidt female. Similar to the male, but slightly smaller, and with 

 a somewhat less robust bill. 



Adidt in winter. Forehead, upper lores, crown, and nape white, 

 with black streaks, which form a patch before and behind the eye ; 

 otherwise as in summer. The primaries are usually fresh and 

 frosted in November and December. 



Young. Similar to the above, but the primaries are darker ; the 

 streaks on the head are greyish on a somewhat buff-tinted white ; 

 the feathers of the upper parts are edged with whitish buff, and 

 have arrow-headed brown markings in their centres. Up to- 

 September these buff and brown markings are pronounced, but are 

 afterwards lost. In birds just fledged the upper parts are chiefly 

 pale fawn-colour, especially in the middle of the back ; bill and 

 feet reddish brown. 



Nestling. Upper parts stone-buff", streaked and mottled with dull 

 brown ; underparts dull white. 



American birds are often slightly smaller than European examples, 

 and Australian specimens are inclined to be larger, but there ar& 

 numerous exceptions. 



Huh. Europe below 55° N. lat. in summer; temperate and 

 warm Asia, except China proper, where it is only known in the 

 south; Malayasia to Australia (breeds); jSTorthern Africa and 

 Egypt ; eastern portion of North America, and down to South 

 Argentina, but not noticed on the Pacific side, except on the coasf> 

 of Guatemala. Sandy shores of sea-coasts or inland lakes. The 

 eggs, deposited on the bare sand, dried mud, or sea-drift, are inter- 

 mediate in character between those of the Terns and the Gulls. 



a. Imm. sk. Sussex {Montagu). Col. Montagu [P.]. 



. , , ^ r,^ ■ y , rx (Type of Stenitt anglica.) 



b. Ad. St. Chnstchurch, Hants, May 14, Baron A. von Hiio-el 



1872. [P.j. " 



c. Ad. sk. Europe {Lichtenstein). Rioeour Coll. 

 rf.Ad.sk. South Spain. Lord Lilford rP.l 

 e. $ ad. sk. Andalucia, AprU 29 {H. S.). H. Saunders CoU 



/• ^d. St. Athens. C. L.W. Merlin, Esq. 



[P.]. 



g. Juv. sk. Crimea (figured in Gould's H. Saunders Coll. 



'Birds of Eui'ope'). 



h. Juv. sk. Crimea, Sept. (Th. Schmidt). Gould Coll 



i. 6 ad. sk. Volga, May {H. T. Moschler). Hume Coll. 



k. 6 ad. sk. S. Russia, April. H. Saunders Coll. 



I. Ad. sk. Zana, Algeria (0. S.). Salvin-Godman Coll, 



m. Ad. sk. Tunis. L. Eraser [C.]. 



