CEYLON RAILS, WADERS, GULLS, AND TERNS. 257 
Habits —Occurs on the open coast and on lagoons near the 
sea. During the breeding season some birds move inland to 
breed on the shores of large tanks, such as Minneri, where 
the water is not choked with weeds and the shores are 
gravelly ; it also breeds on the sandy shores of lagoons. The 
breeding season is from June to August ; the nest is a shallow 
depression in gravel or sand with little or no lining. The eggs 
are two or three in number ; the colour is pale brownish-bufft 
marked with deep brown and inky gray. Average size about 
1:25 by °94. 
STERNA SAUNDERS! (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 321; 
Legge, p. 1023). 
The Black-shafted Ternlet. 
Description.—Similar to that of the last species, but 
slightly smaller ; the shafts of the first three wing quills are 
dusky brown or black, whereas in S. sinensis the first quill 
shaft is clear white ; the mantle is paler, and the tail grayer ; 
the bill is more slender, and even less slightly curved. 
Length about 8°5; wing 6°75; tail up to 3:0; depth of 
fork 1:0; tarsus *6; bill from gape 1:6. 
Distribution.—-Not so common as the last species, but more 
widely distributed round the coast. Its range extends along 
the coasts of the Indian Ocean from South Africa to Burma. 
Habits.—Similar to those of the last species. It has been 
found breeding in company with it in June on the south-east 
coast. The eggs are slightly longer, but narrower. 
STERNA ANZSTHETA (Blanford, Vol. IV., p. 323; 
Legge, p. 1040). 
The Panayan Tern. 
Description.—A white arrowhead patch on the forehead 
extending above the eyes and bordered below by a black 
band from the eye to the bill ; the crown, nape, and sides of 
the head behind the eyes are black ; hind neck grayish-white ; 
rest of upper parts dark grayish-brown ; primaries are darker 
brown than the back, with some whitish-gray on the inner 
