170 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



and sea-weed. Mr. Capen says the nests are sometimes quite bulky, com- 

 posed of straws, grasses and sea-weed. The terns are all noted for their 

 graceful flight, and are commonly called Sea-Swallows. 



Hab. Greater part of the Northern Hemisphere and Africa. In North America chiefly confined to the 

 Eastern Province, breeding from the Arctic coast, somewhat irregularly, to Florida and Texas and winter- 

 ing northward to Virginia. Apparently not occurring in the Pacific. 



687. Arctic Tern — sterna macrura. Eggs and nesting not distin- 

 guishable from those of Common Tern. Breed from Massachusetts 

 northward. 



Hab. Northern Hemisphere; in North America breeding from Massachusetts to the Arctic regions, and 

 wintering southward to Virginia and California. 



688. Roseate Tern — sterna dougalli. This beautiful species, often 

 called Paradise Tern, breeds apparently throughout its range. It is an 

 abundant species along the Atlantic coast in summer, breeding in colonies 

 with other terns. The eggs are not distinguishable from those of the two 

 foregoing species. 



Hab. Temperate and tropical regions; north on the Atlantic coast of North America to Massachusetts, 

 and casually to Maine. 



690. Least Tern — sterna antillarum. Varying from pale greenish 

 to drab or buff, spotted and blotched pretty evenly with brown, umber, 

 and lilac of various shades, with an occasional tinge of yellowish ; in some 

 the markings tend to form a wreath about the larger half; usually three in 

 number, sometimes only one or two and seldom four; size about 1.25 by 

 .95. This pretty little "Sea Swallow" inhabits temperate North America. 

 It is especially common along the Atlantic coast of the United States, and 

 is also found on the large inland waters. Breeds nearly throughout its 

 range. 



Hab. Northern South America, northward to California and New England, and casually to Labrador. 



691. Sooty Tern — sterna fuliginosa. Pinkish or creamy white, 

 spotted and blotched with a rich reddish-brown, tinged with lilac; a hand- 

 some egg; size from 1.95 to 2.12 long by 1.45 to 1.50 broad. Only a 

 single egg is laid in most cases. Writers in general say three. The Sooty 

 Tern inhabits the warmer parts of the globe. In North America it is 

 found regularly as far north as the Carolinas and casually in New England. 

 Breeds very abundantly on our southern coast; in fact, the eggs are so 

 numerous that they are an article of commerce. The eggs are deposited 

 on the dry sand and the birds are exceedingly tame when nesting. (3n 

 the small islands south of Key West the eggs are laid early in May. 



Hab. Tropical and sub-tropical coasts of the globe. In America from Chili to Western Me.xico and the 

 Carolinas; casually to New England. 



693. Black Tern — hydrochelidon lariformis surinamensis. Vary- 



