ROSEATE TERN. 223 



Cabot's Tern differs but slightly in coloration of plumage from 

 the Sandwich Tern of England ; but our bird is confined to the 

 tropical and warm temperate regions, occurring in numbers no 

 farther north than Florida, though occasionally represented by a 

 wanderer along the coast even to Massachusetts. It is pre-emi- 

 nently a sea-bird, and is rarely found inland. 



To write of the bird's habits would necessitate a repetition of 

 what has been said of others of this group; for Cabot's Tern dis- 

 plays little originality or individuality in its methods, though it may 

 be credited with great power of sustained flight, and more than 

 many of the Terns deserves the name " Sea Swallow," so generally 

 applied to the entire group; but instead of pursuing flies it preys 

 solely upon fish. Its strength of wing and skill enable it to outride 

 the severest storms, and flocks of these birds may be seen dipping 

 into crested waves or skimming over angry breakers to seize the 

 prey that may be brought to the surface by the gale. 



ROSEATE TERN. 



Sterna dougalli. 



Char. Upper parts delicate pearl gray, paler on the tail , crown and 

 nape deep black; lower parts delicate rose pink, which fades to white 

 after death; bill black; legs and feet red; wings short; tail long and 

 deeply forked. Length about 15^ inches. 



Nest. A slight hollow in the sand of a sea-beach or barren sea-island, 

 often amid the coarser shingle , sometimes sparsely lined with beach-grass 

 or sea-weed. 



Eggs. 2-4 (usually 3) ; ground color varied from light to dark buff and 

 pale to deep olive ; profusely and irregularly marked with several shades 

 of brown ; average size about 1.55 X i.iS- 



Eggs of the Common, Arctic, and Roseate Terns are too much alike to 

 be distinguished Those of the present species are said to be slightly 

 lighter in color as a rule. 



The Roseate Tern, so frequently associated with and con- 

 founded in the character of the Common Tern, is another 

 species common to the colder and temperate parts of both 

 continents, being frequent upon the coasts of Scotland and 

 England, particularly the former. It is also found in 

 Norway, and probably also upon the borders of the Baltic, 

 visiting the northern coasts of the ocean in small numbers, 



