278 A HANDBOOK OF EUROPEAN BIRDS. 
WHITE-WING@ED BLACK TERN. 
Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Schznz.). 
Adult (Summer): Head and fore parts above glossy 
black, Zesser wing-coverts and edge of wing white ; rest of wing- 
coverts and secondaries grey ; primaries grey or black, shaded 
with grey ; shafts and a streak on inner webs white ; upper tail- 
coverts and ¢az/ white; beneath black except under surface of 
tail which is white ; bill red ; legs and feet orange-red ; claws 
black ; irides hazel-brown. Length 9:5 inches ; wing 8:2 ; tail 3; 
tarsus 0°'8. 
Adult (Autumn): “The black portions of the plumage 
become white on the head, neck and under parts, and slate- 
grey on the mantle ...some black is never absent from the 
nape and ear-coverts ” (Saunders). 
Young in August: “The bill livid brown; lores and 
forehead white ; crown and nape brownish-grey ; a dark streak 
behind the ear-coverts ; sides of the neck white, tinted with 
buff ; upper back and scapulars slate-grey, tipped or overlaid 
with brown, which gradually wears off; back grey mottled with 
brown ; rump white, passing to grey on the tail-coverts ; tail- 
feathers grey, darker and browner at tips ; primaries darker on 
inner webs than in the adults; under wing-coverts and under 
parts white ” (Saunders). 
Distribution: Breeds in parts of Central and Soutkern 
Europe and in Asia from the Caspian to the Amoor and 
Northern China, also in parts of Northern Africa. Occurs in 
Western Europe on migration, and winters in Southern Africa, 
India, and wanders even to Celebes. 
Habitat: Large inland marshes and lakes, frequenting the 
sea-coast during migration. 
No’e.— By its longer and more slender toes and claws, and deeply incised 
webs, this species may be distinguished from 4, xigra at all ages, 
whilst its generally smaller dimensions serve to separate the young 
from that of 4. Ayérida” (Saunders). 
WHISKERED TERN. 
Hydrochelidon hybrida (Pal). 
Adult (Summer): Adove pearl-grey, head and nape black - 
