LARIDM. 61 



Mr. H. Saunders, in explaining how perplexing are the variations of the colouring of 

 the Tern family, states as an example that the red hill of hoth this Tern and the Common 

 Tern becomes quite dark in the first two weeks of October. 



The bill of the Arctic Tern is shorter, slighter, and rather more curved than that of 

 the Common Tern. Dresser says this Tern is found as far south as the Cape of Good Hope. 



Caspian Tern {Sterna cas^jm).— This well-known bird, the largest of the British Terns, 

 is occasionally met with on the east coast of England. Mr. Howard Saunders says it is 

 found from Northern Europe to New Zealand, and in America from Labrador, where it 

 breeds, down to New Jersey. Dresser says :— " Eauging from Northern Finland down to 

 South Africa, and frequenting the coasts of Asia and the Islands to New Zealand, the 

 Caspian Tern is also found in the Nearctic Eegion from the shores of Labrador down 

 to New Jersey, and has therefore a very extensive range." 



In reading over one of my old logs I find mention of a strange bird with a whitish 

 head and long beak that flew on board, and by its actions and appearance completely 

 puzzled all the ornithological talent of our ship. We perceived it was a species of Tern, 

 but we were amazed at 'its size and perfect self-possession. It allowed itself to be caught 

 and led, and when released still kept to the ship, much to tlie disgust of certain dogs 

 and cats, who were not allowed to touch it. Finally it took its departure in that airy and 

 unconcerned way peculiar to the Tern family. At the time it was certainly a case of — 



" Although I do uot know your name, 

 Nor can I tell from whence you came," 



but afterwards, reading over its description and looking at the sketch I made of it at 

 the time, I came to the conclusion it was a Caspian Tern in winter plumage. It is the 

 only one I have ever seen, and its friendliness and general good faith alone saved it 

 from becoming an addition to my collection of birds. 



As this happened close to Australia, it would be the Caspian Tern of Australian 

 waters. Gould gives it then a difi^ereut name, calling it the " Powerful Tern," Sterna 

 strenua, and says it is larger than our bird, and has a more richly coloured bill. 

 Mr. H. Saunders, however, says that it is now generally conceded that there is but 

 one species. Its range must, therefore, be very large, as it is occasionally met 

 with in Great Britain. Owing to its great size, it is sometimes called the " King of the 

 Sea-swallows." 



The bird is thus described by Yarrell, 'British Birds' (vol. iii. p. 387): — "When 

 in their summer plumage the bill is vermilion-red, lighter in colour at the points ; the 



