376 LARIDAA 
It has been recorded six times from Ireland, having 
visited the following counties:—Dublin, Limerick, 'Tip- 
perary, Waterford, and Clare. 
The first British-taken specimen was shot in Dublin 
Bay in October, 1841 (Thompson, Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. in, 
p- 307). Another autumnal record is that of a bird killed 
at Ilfracombe, North Devon, early in November, 1870 
(Saunders). 
Three of the Irish specimens were obtained in the years 
1874-75 (Ussher). More recently, 7.e., in 1893, another 
example was secured near Newmarket-on-Fergus, co. Clare, 
‘““where it was engaged in hawking for flies over a small 
lake’? (Willams, ‘ Irish Naturalist,’ 1893, p. 253). 
Flight—In its general habits this bird resembles the 
preceding species. It chases and captures insects on the 
wing, and its flight is even more rapid and buoyant than 
that of the Black Tern. 
Food.—Dragon-flies are consumed in considerable quan- 
tities, likewise aquatic insects, worms, and minute fish. 
Votce.—Its cry is harsh and rather scolding in character, 
resembling the syllables crick-crevk. 
Nest.— This species, which is gregarious in the breeding- 
season has been found nesting 1n company with the Black 
Tern. Marshy grounds are usually resorted to, and the 
eggs, laid in May or June, are often deposited on floating 
vegetation. The nest is rudely constructed; it contains 
three eggs, coloured and marked not unlike those of the 
Black Tern. 
Geographical distribution. — The White-winged Black 
Tern breeds in Central and South-eastern Europe, and in 
Temperate countries of Asia. On its southern migration 
it reaches South Africa and Tropical Asia, and many birds 
travel to Australia. Exceptionally, it has been procured in 
New Zealand and in North America. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial—Head, neck, and back, 
glossy-black ; wings, chiefly greyish; feathers covering the 
fold of the wing (carpal joint), pure white; primaries, frosted 
with ‘pearl’ grey on a ground-colour of black ; tail and upper 
tail-coverts, pure white; tail, slightly forked; breast and 
abdomen, black, the latter tinged with brown; under tail- 
coverts, white ; under wing-coverts and axillaries, black. 
