a | 
700 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
is one of the Sternjes I told you of.’ We instantly detected a new 
bird, and jumping from the cart we ran down each side of the yley 
and between us succeeded in obtaining the only specimen that we 
have seen. J. Verreaux says he also got them. 
Mr. Andersson obtained a specimen in full breeding dress on the 
6th of April. He says it was circling for some time round a vley in 
company with another. Two young specimens have been sent by 
Senor Anchieta from Humbe. 
Above rather darkish slate colour, the exterior margins of the quill- 
feathers of the wings frosted. Head black, that colour extending 
on to the back of the neck; under the eye extending from the 
gape of the bill under the lores a broadish white stripe; chin 
whitish; vent white; the rest of the under parts dull dark slate 
colour; bill, legs and feet coral red. Length, 10’; wing, 85” ; 
tail, 3’ 9°". Wings extending beyond the tail, which is only slightly . 
forked. i 
Fig. Dresser, B. Hur. viii, pl. 573. 
676. HyprocuEtipon Leucoptera (M. and S.). 
White-winged Black Tern. 
Mr. Ayres has on several occasions procured this little Tern in the 
Transvaal; one was killed by him on the 26th of June, and in 
November “several of these Terns were hawking over a swamp 
flight. The stomachs of those sent contained insects.”” Again he 
writes: “This Tern was killed in the month of December, at the 
lagoon at Loup-spruit, from a large flock which was apparently 
engaged in catching insects on the wing, and which, after being shot 
: . : ; ) 
some eight miles from Potchefstroom, with a slow, uncertain, wavy ; 
at, wheeled round and round in a body to an immense height, and 
then sailed away. The flight of these Terns was unsteady, like that 
of many of the Gulls, as if the wings were too large for the body.” 
Mr. Buckley, during his journey to the Matabele, says that it was seen 
in the Transvaal during his way down, frequenting marshes and 
lagoons. Mr. Andersson says: “I have never seen this Tern on the 
sea-shore, but it is common on many inland fresh-water lakes, an 
during the wet season hunts over the temporary rainpools. 
feeds on fry, frogs, spawn, snails, &c. It flies slowly and heavily, 
examining the ground carefully as it progresses.” 
Winter plumage. — Upper surface, including the tail-feathers, 
