earth, not before the eagle had made two downward plunges, in a 
most magnificent, and bold manner to regain its capture. The bird 
was about two-thirds eaten, it proved to be a Brown-headed Gull ; 
thus showing the time honored practice of retiring to breed on the 
uplands of Thibet. Which went to show that not a few of these 
Gulls retire from sea-coasts in the plains, to more northern latitudes. 
They have been seen, in fairly big numbers at about 14,000 feet 
altitude, up to the end of July, where they probably congregate to 
embark on their southward journey. In size brunnicephala is about 
17 inches; bill and feet red; irides white ; back and wings grey ; 
primaries black ; head black or brown as the case might be ; also 
black behind ear-coverts ; rest of the plumage, a considerable display 
of white. These birds change colour a good deal according to the 
season. In winter the head feathers get nearly white. 
Sus-Famity STERNINAS (Terns) 
Have long, fairly straight, compressed bills ; wings long and 
pointed ; tail, in a few species short, in others, long and forked ; 
tarsi short and slender; toes short. They are said to be gulls, 
with straight and more slender bills, and perhaps a more delicate 
build, with longer wings, and shorter legs. They might be called 
the swallows of the Natatores, as they are untiring on the wing ; 
rest during the heat of the day. 
They comprise the following six groups :— 
I. Marsh Terns—Shorter bills, gull-like bodies, tails short. 
II. River Terns—Body slender, tail long and forked. 
III. Oceanic Terns —Having a good supply of black plumage. 
IV. Skimmers—Are a more complicated group, and will be 
dealt with, when taken up. 
The above might be called a somewhat rough and ready mode of 
distinguishing each group. 
I. MARSH TERNS. 
(982) SYLOCHELIDON CaAspius, Largest Tern, has a stout, red 
bill, and short tail. _ Neither this species, wor Gull-billed Tern, 
breeds in India; they migrate far north ; occasionally they have 
been seen on the coast of Great Britain. In the plains they fre- 
quent rivers and more marshy portions, in the cold weather. In 
