[43] 



1 8. Sterna dougalli. Roseate Tern. — Not common sum- 

 mer visitor in the Coast region. Very frequently seen skimming 

 over the w^aters of Hampton Roads in May, 1S77, by Mr. C. L. 

 Phillips (O. & O. XII, p. 122). Dr. Brewer stated (Water 

 Birds of North America, Vol. 3, 1SS4, p. 305) that it still bred 

 on islands near Cape Charles, but I can obtain no record of its 

 breeding at Cobb's Island where it appears to be rather rare, 

 although Captain Crumb informs me that he has taken it in the 

 spring. 



19. Sterna antillarum. Least Tern. — Common summer 

 resident on the sea coast. It breeds at Cobb's Island, commencing 

 to lay its eggs in the latter part of May, but I am iniormed that it 

 is rapidly diminishing in numbers. It is frequently seen near 

 Washington in August and September, and more seldom in the 

 Spring. I found it a common species at Virginia Beach. 



30. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. — 

 Not uncommon in early autumn at Cobb's Island. It has been 

 seen there in the breeding season but is not known to breed. It 

 is not uncommon in August and September and in spring near 

 Washington, and has been observed near Staunton, Augusta 

 County (Forest and Stream Vol. XII, p. 185). It is less fre- 

 quently a marine bird than the other Tei ns and usually breeds in 

 the interior of portions of the Western United States. 



21. Rynchops nigra. Black Skimmer; Flood Gull. — 

 Summer resident of the Coast region. Rather common along the 

 Atlantic side of the Eastern Shore, where it breeds ; arrives early 

 in May, leaves in October. Eggs are found from about the 20th 

 of June to the middle of August. Individuals were once seen 

 on the Potomac below Washington, by Drs. Coues and Prentiss. 



22. Oceanodroma leucorhoa. Leach's Petrel. — Dr. 

 Brewer mentions that Giraud in his Birds of Long Island, quotes 

 a letter from Professor Baird stating that after tlie violent gale of 

 August, 1842, a large number of these birds were found inland, 

 and that six or more were procured near Washington and others 

 taken at Petersburg, Virginia, besides at other points hundreds 

 of miles from the open sea. Their occurrence in these localities 

 was of course accidental. The A. O. U. check list gives as the 

 winter habitat of this bird on the Atlantic coast " south to Vir- 



