STERNA. 323 



others more numerous and extensive than the dark ones. In others 

 these dark markings are comparatively thinly sprinkled or dense ; 

 again there are some with huge blotches and spots about the larger 

 end. The eggs vary from 2"3 inches to 2*71 in length, and 1'6'3 to 

 1*78 in breadth ; the average of 2 dozen was 2"45Xl-71. 



Sterna seena, Sykes.; Hardw. III. Ind. Zool. pi. 69, 2. Sterna 

 aurantia, Graij ; Jerd. B. Ind, iii. p. 838, No. 985 ; *S^r. i^. i. 281 ; 

 Murray, Hd.hk., Zool., ^c, Sind, p. 248a. — -The Laege River Teen. 



Forehead, crown, nape and back of the neck and circle enclosing the 

 eye glossy black ; sides of the face, chin and throat white ; breast and 

 abdomen pearly greyish white ; under tail-coverts white ; tail pale grey, 

 the external feathers white ; back, secondaries, tertiaries and wing- 

 coverts pale or ashy grey ; primaries hoary or silvery grey, the inner 

 webs of the first three light brown, edged with dnsky ; under wing- 

 coverts white ; upper tail-coverts like the back. In winter plumage 

 the head is white, except a circle of black or dusky round the eye and 

 on the ear-covei'ts ; bill bright yellow, tipped dusky; irides brown; 

 legs and feet red. 



Length. — 15'0 to 16'3 inches, wing ITO to 11'5, bill at front Vb, 

 tarsus 0-56 to 1*0, tail 7-0 to 7-5. 



Hah. — Throughout India, also in Beloochistan and Persia. A per- 

 manent resident in Sind, affects the rivers and lakes, also j heels. 

 Breeds in June and July. 



Sterna hybrida, Pall.; Naum. Vog. t. 255; Yarr. Br. B. 2nd 

 Ed., iii. fig. p. 512; Gould. Br. Eur. pi. 424; Jerd. iii. p. 837, No. 984; 

 Sir. F. iii. 348; iv. 224; vii. 445; Murray, Hdhk., Zool, Sj^c, Bind, 

 p. 248a. Sterna leucopareia, Natterer. Hydrochelidon indica, Steph. ; 

 Jerd. B. Ind. iii. p. 837. — The Small Maesh Teen. 



Forehead, crown, nape and back of neck g'lossy black ; lores and 

 chin white; throat and breast pale bluish ash ; abdomen dusky; under 

 tail-coverts white, also the edge of the wing; mantle, wings, upper 

 tail- coverts and tail bluish ash ; external tail feathers white; under 

 wing-coverts white ; bill lake red ; irides brown ; legs and feet dull 

 red. 



Length. — 11 to 13 inches, wing 8*5 to 9' 75, tail 3' 75 to 4*5, bill 

 at front 1"5. 



Hah. — Throughout India, aflFecting lakes and the sea coast. 



Sterna javanica, Horsf. P. C. 434; Gould. B. of Asia, pi.; Jerd. 

 B. Ind. iii. p. 840, No.. 987; Str. F. i. 282; iii. 348; vi. 492; Murray, 

 Hdhk., Zool., ^'c, Sind, p. 248a. Sterna acuticauda. Gray, III. Ind. 

 Zool. pi. 70, 3. — Thj3 Blace-bellied Teen. 



Head and nape black ; neck behind black ; scapulars, tertials and 

 wing-coverts light grey; lores, sides of the face, ear-coverts, chin and 

 throat white ; neck in front and breast pearly grey ; abdomen, vent and 

 under tail-coverts brownish black. 



Bill orange yellow ; irides brown ; legs vermilion red. 



