Birds of Astrakhan. 231 



Sterna minuta. 



The Little Tern is rather rare. It breeds on the Seal 

 Islands iu cousiderable numbers. 



Sterna nigra. 



The Black Tern is very common both iu the river-district 

 and on the Kirghiz steppes. 



Sterna hybrida. 



The Whiskered Tern is very common in the river-district^ 

 but is not found on the steppes. 



Sterna leucoptera. 



The White- winged Black Tern is very common^ both in the 

 river- district and on the Kirghiz steppes. 



Phalacrocorax carbo. 



The Cormorant breeds in hundreds of thousands^ princi- 

 pally on the willows. 



Phalacrocorax pygm^us. 



The Pygmy Cormorant breeds in small colonies of about a 

 dozen pairs. It is not very common. 



PeLECANUS CRISPUS. 



The Dalmatian Pelican is common near the sea. 



Pelecanus onocrotalus. 



The Roseate Pelican is also conmion near the sea. Neither 

 species is found on the steppes, iu consequence of the entire 

 absence of fish. 



PODICEPS CRISTATUS, 



The Crested Grebe is very common. 



PoDICEPS RUBRICOLLIS. 



The Red-necked Grebe is very common. 



PODICEPS NIGRICOLLIS. 



The Eared Grebe breeds in great numbers on the Kirghis 

 steppes. 



PODICEPS CORNUTUS. 



Henke only met with one example of the Sclavouian Grebe. 



