Brewster on Terns of the New England Coast. 13 



' 107. Tringoides macularius (L.) Gr. Spotted Sandpiper. — One 

 or two individuals seen on the banks of the Alabama River, in April. 



108. Actiturus bartramius (]Vils.) Bp. Upland Plover. — Sev- 

 eral small flocks seen flying over, between March 22 and 28. 



109. Ardea herodias L. Great Blue Heron. — Apparently not 

 common. I did not meet with it myself, but sportsmen brought me word 

 of its occurrence at irregular intervals. 



110. Ardea candidissima (Jacquin) Gin. Little White Egret. 

 — Several small "White Herons seen at a distance, April 29, were probably 

 of this species. It is said to be very common during summer. 



111. Ardea caerulea, L. Little Blue Heron. — Another small 

 Heron, of which I obtained no specimens, was quite common during the 

 last two weeks of April. It was apparently this species. 



112. Fulica arnericana, Gm. Coot. — One of a pair shot in the 

 Alabama River, April 9. 



113. Branta canadensis (X.) Gr. Wild Goose. — A large flock 

 spent the winter in a cornfield, on the banks of the Coosa River, and left 

 for the North about the second week in March. 



114. Anas boschas, L. Mallard. — Specimens seen in the Mont- 

 gomery markets. Said to be a common migrant. 



115. Anas obscura, Gm. Black Duck. — Known to sportsmen, but 

 considered very rare. 



116. Querquedula discors (L.) Steph. Blue-winged Teal. — 

 Common migrant ; arrived about the last of March. 



117. Aix sponsa (i.) Boie. Wood Duck. — Common resident. 



118. Plotus anhinga, L. Water Turkey. — Well known to sports- 

 men, by whom it is said to be common in summer. 



119. Colymbus torquatus, Briinn. Loon. — A dozen or so seen 

 flying north, in March. 



THE TERNS OF THE NEW ENGLAND COAST. 



BY WILLIAM BREWSTER. 



Among all the sea-birds that with the changing seasons visit our 

 New England shores there are none half so beautiful as the Terns, or 

 Sea-Swallows. Family Laridce, sub-family Sternince, genus Sterna, 

 — thus they are classed in the books. What a pity their names 

 could not have been more aptly chosen ! There is much in a name, 

 and Sterna sounds hard and cold. Nor is the English appellation, 

 Tern, a whit more appropriate or beautiful. Why could not these 

 birds of graceful motion and faultless coloring have borne the name 



