SOOTY TERN. 



295 



p. 213) as having been obtained on one of the lightships at the mouth of 

 the Thames in September 1875. This specimen was purchased from a local 

 birdstuffer by Mr. BidwcU, in whose collection it now is^ two years after its 

 alleged occurrence. Of the other species two examples are recorded (Thomp- 

 son^ B. Ireland, iii. p. 308) as having been shot about four years previously 

 off the coast of Wexford ; they were procured, roughly skinned, from the 

 captain of a vessel, who stated that they had been shot in his presence. 

 The geographical distribution of both these species differs very slightly 

 from that of the Sooty Tern. The eggs of the Noddy Tern are figured 

 on Plate 49 ; those of the Smaller Sooty Tern resemble the eggs of its 

 larger ally, but are a little less. 



Both these species of Terns are included in the ' List of British Birds 

 compiled by a Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union,' whilst 

 Bonaparte's Gull is rejected. The reasons for these decisions are in- 

 scrutable. 



