STERNA CASPIA. 703 
feathers ; tail white and deeply forked; on top of the head, from 
the bill, including the eye, and down the back of the head, a black 
hood, ending in a point on the back of the neck; bill long and 
narrow, black, with the tip yellowish horn-colour; legs and feet 
black. In winter the black on the top of the head is replaced by 
black speckles; forehead white. Length, 15’; wing, 12” 2’”; tail 
(to the end of centre feather), 4”. 
Fig. Dresser, B. Hur. vii, pl. 571. 
680. Srerna caspra, Pall. Caspian Tern. 
This noble Tern is not uncommon on our shores; but is, we think, 
a periodical visitant, appearing chiefly in the summer; though 
Mr. L, C. Layard tells us he observed a pair during the day of the 
great gale, May 17th, 1864. It feeds on fish, and plunges from a 
considerable height, completely submerging itself, It is a solitary 
Species, never appearing in flocks. Mr. J. Kotzé sent me an egg 
which clearly, from his description, belonged to this bird. It was 
found with three others (unfortunately eaten) on an island in 
St. Helena Bay. It is of a pale salmon-colour, profusely spotted 
with various sized spots of dark and light purple-brown. Axis, 
2” 7”; diam. 1” 9’. Mr. Rickard records it from the neigh- 
bourhood of Port Elizabeth, and procured one out of a small party 
near the Swartkop’s mouth. Mr. Andersson gives the following 
account of it :—“ This splendid and powerful Tern is not uncommon 
at Walwich Bay and on the south-west coast of Africa generally. 
When on the wing it usually pursues a steady flight, and at a distance 
bears considerable resemblance to a Gull. It utters, at intervals, 
especially when fishing, exceedingly harsh and discordant notes, and, 
when about to do so, it arrests its course and, rising suddenly at an 
angle of about 45 degrees to its line of flight, gives vent to its cries, 
which are repeated two or three times, and in uttering which it 
greatly depresses its lower mandible whenever it opens its bill for 
this purpose. So far as I have seen, it lives entirely on fish. 
Where not previously disturbed it is not particularly shy or difficult 
to approach ; but when once it knows a gun it becomes exceed- 
ingly cunning.” Sir John Kirk found this species breeding off the 
mouth of the Zambesi in January. 
Above, throughout, pale pearl-grey; quill-feathers of wings 
darkest; beneath pure white; head of male in full plumage, at the 
