326 LONG- WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



Palmyra Island ; T. H. Streets) : Similar, but head uniform grayish brown, the frontlet hoary 

 grayish. 



Total length, about 16.00 inches ; extent, 31.00 ; wing, 10.00-10.50 ; tail, 6.00 ; culmen, 1.75 ; 

 depth of bill at base, .38 ; tarsus, 1.00 ; middle toe, with claw, 1.45. 



There is considerable variation among different specimens in regard to the color of the pileum, 

 which is frequently grayish, the extreme anterior part of the forehead only white. In some 

 examples the head and neck are decidedly plumbeous. 



The common Noddy Tern appears to be an intertropical species, and to be found 

 round the entire surface of the globe, both north and south of the equator, at a dis- 

 tance from it of rarely exceeding thirty degrees north or south. While the specimens 

 from the shores and islands of the Pacific Ocean differ, with considerable uniformity, 

 in certain respects from those obtained on the Atlantic coast, these differences are 

 small and unimportant, and apparently not sufficient to warrant us in separating 

 specifically the birds of the Atlantic from those of the Pacific. This being the case, 

 it is evident that this bird has a very extended range. 



It is mentioned by the naturalists connected with the "Wilkes Expedition as having 

 been observed at widely distant points in the Pacific Ocean. One specimen having 

 been attracted by the ship's light at night, was obtained by Mr. Peale on the equator, 

 in longitude 17° 44', in the Atlantic Ocean. It was not distinguishable from others 

 obtained at the Dangerous Archipelago or New Zealand. Unlike the Sooty Tern, 

 the presence of this bird does not indicate the vicinity of land. On the islands of the 

 Pacific Mr. Peale found it building its nests of sticks, on trees ; the eggs being brown- 

 ish white, spotted with reddish brown, 2.20 inches long and 1.50 inches in breadth. 



Dr. Pickering mentions tins species as of common occurrence at Gardner's Island, 

 August 19. Its nest was built in the fork of a tree, with much more care than is 

 usual in this family. The egg or young was single in all instances noticed. Subse- 

 quently at sea, September 4, he states that one of this species alighted on the taffrail, 

 and was taken by hand. It had very limited power of perching, and preferred walk- 

 ing. At first it seemed awkward and confused, but in an hour became accustomed to 

 confinement, and very carefully adjusted its feathers. It was set at liberty in the 

 afternoon, but would not leave the ship for some time. The occurrence of this bird 

 at nearly all the points visited by the Expedition in the Southern Pacific Ocean is 

 mentioned by Dr. Pickering. 



Mr. J. C. Melliss (" Ibis," 1870) speaks of this species as being a common bird on 

 the Island of St. Helena. It is described as a less shy and retiring species than the 

 other sea-birds, frequenting the roadstead, where, in the neighborhood of ships riding 

 at anchor, it may be seen sitting on the surface of the water, or in close proximity to 

 a boat. It inhabits principally the cliffs of the islets — as, for instance, Egg Island — 

 where it breeds in swarms. It does not associate there with any other birds, but is 

 one of the most abundant species. 



Mr. Stoltenhoff states that he found this bird breeding on Inaccessible Island, one 

 of the Tristan d'Acunha group, where it is called the "Wood Pigeon." It arrives 

 about the middle of September, and nests about the middle of November, building a 

 nest of sticks, leaves, etc., in the branches of trees. One egg only is laid, and this is 

 hatched in January. It builds all over the island, which it leaves the third week in 

 April. 



It also breeds on Ascension Island — where it is not numerous — in company with 

 a few Gannets, on small rocky islets off the northwest corner of the main island. 



This species is also included by Mr. G. R. Gray in his List of the Birds of New 

 Zealand and of the Adjacent Islands. Mr. Edward Newton found it breeding on the 



