Desmjjtive List of the Common Birds 



205. Sterna minuta : The Little Tern. 

 (F. 1510), (J.988), (-11.) 



A tern not much bigger than a sparrow, with 

 a white forehead and black head, white cheeks 

 and lower parts, grey wings, dark red bill and 

 legs, is probably this species. 



It is fairly common in N. India ; rare in the 

 south. 



206. Rhyncho'ps alhicollis : The Indian Skim- 

 mer, or Scissors-bill. (F. 15 17), (J. 995), 

 (-IV.) 



A long-winged, tern-like bird, which flies 

 about in little flocks a few inches above the sur- 

 face of the water, with white forehead, tail, and 

 lower parts, and a white collar round the neck ; 

 rest of upper plumage dark brown. Bill deep 

 red ; legs bright red. (Illus. F. IV., p. 296.) 



^he Pelicans, 207 and 208 

 Description of these well-known birds is 



superfluous, as every one knows what they look 



like. 



Four species are found in India, but they 



can scarcely be described as common birds. 



Two species, however, are fairly abundant on 



the big jhils of Northern India. 



207. Pelicanus crispus : The Dalmatian 



215 



