NATATORES. 407 



it as frequenting many parts of the country visited by them ; 

 I have also seen specimens from Swan River : it is evident, 

 therefore, that it has a wide range of habitat. Its cliief food 

 consists of aquatic insects and small fish, which it procures 

 after the usual manner of the Marsh Terns, by hunting with 

 scrutinizing care over the surface of the water. 



The breeding-place of this species in Australia has not been 

 discovered, but in its nidification it doubtless closely resembles 

 its congeners, which we know breed among the sedgy herbage, 

 making a nest just above the surface of the water. 



" This Tern," says Mr. Jerdon, "is exceedingly abundant 

 in India, frequenting marshes, tanks, and rivers, usually prey- 

 ing on aquatic food, not unfrequently hunting over fields, 

 beds of reeds, and marshy ground, where it captures grass- 

 hoppers, caterpillars, and other insects. In some parts of the 

 country it roosts during the night on thick beds of reeds, 

 congregating in vast numbers : for some time after sunset 

 till nearly dark, it may be seen flying in scattered flocks in 

 an excited manner over the surface of the water ; but I do 

 not think that the birds I saw thus occupied were at the same 

 time engaged in capturing food. It breeds in large churrs 

 on the Ganges, and probably on most other large rivers. It 

 is found over the greater part of Europe, temperate Asia, and 

 Africa. 



Little or no difference is observable in the sexes. 



Forehead, crown, and nape deep black; all the upper 

 surface, wings, and tail light grey ; sides of the face and the 

 throat white, gradually deepening into grey on the chest, and 

 the grey into black on the abdomen and flanks ; under surface 

 of the shoulder and under tail-coverts white ; irides black ; 

 bill blood-red ; feet light blood-red. 



Total length 9f inches; bill If; wingSf; taUS^; tarsi |. 



