AQ4 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION C. 
Larus longirostris, Masters (Long-billed gull). Common. Breeds 
in September. Have been witnessed plundering the noddies of 
their eggs, especially if nearly incubated. The gulls also rob 
these peaceful birds of the contents of their stomachs when spread 
out for their mates or young. 
Sterna caspia, Pall. (Caspian tern). Seen in small companies 
about the reefs or singly diving for fish about the harbours. 
Fledglings seen 15th December, also fresh egg taken same date. 
Young in down white underneath, mottled with black and brown 
above. 
Sterna bergit, Licht. (Common tern). A few breed upon 
Pelsart Island. Young in down similar to Caspian tern. 
Sterna dougalli, Mont. (Graceful tern). Nesting in scores 
upon the dead coral ridges in the narrowest part of Pelsart Island. 
December appears to be the laying month. Young in down 
under surface white, wings white, and rest of upper surface 
mottled black and white, with slight brownish tinge. Feet and 
bill light pink. 
Sterna anestheta, Scop. (Panayan tern). In small companies 
of ten or twelve, or in pairs, breeding under shelving limestones, 
sometimes under bushes, chiefly on isolated rocks. 
Sterna fuliginosa, Gm. (Sooty tern). The “ wide-awakes ” 
first appear in the beginning of September upon Rat and Pelsart 
Islands, when they come in vast numbers for about a fortnight. 
When the young are reared, all depart about April. Their call- 
note sounds like “‘ wide-awake ;” hence their vernacular name. 
A long guttural scream appears to be the alarm note, while 
“squak” like notes are uttered in anger. Young in down, 
underneath parts (except throat) whitish, all the rest of the 
surface mottled with black, brown and white. Feet and bill dark- 
coloured. 
Sternula nereis, Gould. (Little tern). A few couples found 
breeding upon dead coral on Pelsart Island, in close proximity to 
the graceful terns. Young in down dull or yellowish white. 
Bill and feet light yellow. 
Sternula inconspicua, Masters. A pair noticed in company 
with little and Caspian terns near Rat Island. A skin was 
obtained, which appears to correspond with Masters’ description, 
although some authorities believe it to be a different stage of 
plumage of the little tern. But this can hardly be, seeing the 
young of the little tern from the time they are hatched possess 
yellowish-white bill and feet, whereas Masters’ tern has dark- 
coloured bill and feet. 
Anous stolidus, Linn. (Noddy tern). Records kept upon Rat 
Island. show that these birds first appeared for the breeding 
season 14th August, 1888, and 16th August, 1889, respectively. 
They are usually first heard at night, and then appear gradually 
for a few days before they arrive in great crowds. The earliest 
