HYDROCHELIDON LEUCOPTERA 359 



The Whiskered Tern is not uncommon in Tunisia durinr; the 

 periods of passage, and particularly in spring. It is also to be found 

 more sparingly in winter, and a certain number breed in the north of 

 the Eegency. 



According to Loche, the species is common in Algeria, and, 

 apparently, it used to be particularly abundant on Lake Halloula, 

 before that lake was drained. 



In Marocco, according to Favier, it is scarce near Tangier on 

 passage, but to be found breeding in immense colonies on the lakes of 

 Eas Doura. 



The range of the species extends throughout Southern Europe, 

 but in the north of our continent the bird only occurs occasionally as 

 a straggler. It is plentiful throughout North Africa, and is found 

 as far south as the Cape of Good Hope. In Asia it ranges from the 

 Mediterranean to India and China, and through the Malayan region 

 down to Australia. 



Like its allies, the Whiskered Tern chiefly frequents marshes and 

 inland waters, though during the seasons of migration it is to be met 

 with on the sea-coast and localities adjoining it. 



The name of Marsh-Terns, by which this group has been dis- 

 tinguished from other Terns, is not inappropriate. 



Its flight is graceful and buoyant, though not very rapid. It feeds 

 on small fish, insects and their larvse. 



The species nests in colonies, and, as a rule, on the banks of 

 marshes, its nest being often a mass of weeds or aquatic herbage 

 floating on the surface of the water. The eggs, three or four in 

 number, are very pear-shaped and of a dull olive-green, or sometimes 

 a bluish-green, with greyish shell-marks and brown surface-spots. 

 Average measurements 40 X 29 mm. 



HYDROCHELIDON LEUCOPTERA (Schinz). 

 WHITE-WINGED BLACK TEEN. 



Sterna leucoptera, Schinz, in Meisner <0 Schinz Vog. Schweiz, p. 264 



(1815) ; Malherbe, Faune Orn. de I'Alg. p. 34 (1855). 

 Hydrochelidon leucoptera, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 563 ; Eoenig, J. f. 0. 



1888, p. 288 ; id. J. f. 0. 1893, p. 98 ; Saunders, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. 



XXV, p. 6 ; Whitaker, Ibis, 1895, p. 106. 

 Hydrochelidon nigra, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 207 (1867). 



