282 A HANDBOOK OF EUROPEAN BIRDS. 
breast with rose-colour ; bill Wth basal portion red, otherwise 
black ; legs and feet red ; irides dark brown. Length 15°5 to 
ry imches; culmen 1°73 wing9 to 9.25; atl’ o > tarsus o'75- 
Adult (Winter): Similar, but with a white forehead and 
entirely black bill. 
Young: Are conspicuously marked above with brown and 
yellowish-white ; tail grey, tipped with white; beneath all 
white ; primaries as in adult; bill orange-yellow at base ; 
legs pale red. 
Distribution: Inhabits many of the European coasts as 
well as those of the eastern Nearctic region. Inhabits also 
the Indian, Maiayan, African, and Australian coasts. A sum- 
mer visitant to the northern portions of its range. 
Habitat: The sea-coast and marine islands. 
COMMON TERN. 
Sterna fluviatilis Naw, 
Adult (Summer): Cvown and nape black ; back and 
wings grey, edges of wings white; quills with outer webs 
nearly black ; zzner webs white inwardly, with a broad blacktish- 
grey band next the shaft ; rump and tail white, latter with outer 
webs of most feathers grey; beneath grey on breast and 
abdomen ; bill and legs coral-red, former blackish towards 
tip; rides dark brown. Length 13°5 to 15 inches; culmen 
14 to.1°6; wihg 10%5 to an5-tailj5 to.6 ; ¢azsus 7 Ze On 
Adult (Winter): Colour of bill, legs and feet paler than 
in summer. 
Young: Head much browner than in adults; forehead 
greyish-white ; back-feathers with subterminal bands of reddish- 
brown and _ pale-tipped; many of primaries white-tipped ; 
beneath almost white ; bill dusky red, orange at base beneath. 
Distribution: Inhabits during summer most European 
waters, and is found from the Caspian to Mervin Asia, likewise 
on the Atlantic coast of North America. In winter it occurs 
along the western coast of Africa. 
Habitat: The sea-coast, but also occurs on inland fresh 
waters. 
