2] 592? SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
STERNA BERGII (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 314; Legge, p. 1026). 
The Large Crested Tern. 
Description —Though this bird may be distinguished. by its 
larger size, the colouration is the same as in the last species, 
save that the forehead is white in summer and the crest more 
distinct, and that at all seasons the mantle is much darker 
gray with a smoky-brown tinge. 
Young birds have a good deal of brown on the upper parts, 
and the wing quills are mostly smoky-brown. 
Bill pale yellow ; iris dark brown; legs and feet black, 
tinged at times with red ; soles yellowish. 
Length about 21 ; wing 14:5; tail 6°5-8; tarsus 1°3; bill 
from gape 3°6. 
Distribution —Found all round the coast, especially during 
rough weather. Fairly common round the coast of India ; 
rarer in Burma. Ranges from the west coast of South Africa, 
along the shores of the Indian Ocean, to Polynesia and the 
China Sea. The race found in Ceylon and round the Bay 
of Bengal has lately been sub-specifically distinguished as 
Sterna (Thalasseus) bergii edwardsi. 
Habits —A maritime species, which may often be seen in 
fine weather fishing miles out at sea. Rough weather drives 
it to the shore, but it seldom goes inland. It has been found 
breeding in June on rocks off the south coast and on sand 
banks between Mannar and India. The eggs, one to three in 
number, are pinkish-buff or green-gray blotched with black or 
reddish-brown and inky-gray. 
STERNA SEENA (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 315 ; Legge, p. 1003). 
The Indian River Tern. 
Description.—Summer : A cap of glossy green-black on the 
head from the forehead to the nape, extending down the side 
of the head to a little way below the eyes ; a small white patch ~ 
under each eye ; remainder of upper plumage dark pearl-gray, 
becoming paler on the rump and tail; wing quills in fresh 
plumage frosted white on the outer webs ; under parts and 
wing lining delicate pale gray, which passes into white at the 
line of junction with the black cap and on the under tail 
