STERNA HYBRIDA. 291 
STERNA HYBRIDA, Pallas. 
WHISKERED TERN. 
§ 4384. One.—From M. Nager-Donazain, 1847. 
This is exactly like Mr. Hewitson’s figure [Eggs Br. B. ed. 2, 
pl. cxx.*] of an egg given by Dr. Thienemann to Mr. Yarrell. It is 
also very like an Arctic Tern’s, and as the writing on it, “ St. 
leucopareia,’ isin the same hand as that on ‘‘ Larus leucopterus ” 
and “ Larus glaucus”’ [sent at the same time, but apparently not 
kept by Mr. Wolley], I am inclined to fear they are all false. 
M. Nager, of course, had received it in exchange. 
[Very likely both Thienemann and Nager obtained their eggs from 
M. Crespon (§ 4885), and I see no need to doubt this. } 
§ 4385. One.—From M. Crespon, through Mr. H. F. Walter, 
1852. 
This, given to me by Mr. Walter, was one of a lot of eggs of this 
bird which he procured from M. Crespon, of Nimes, who is au 
amateur collector. Mr. Walter procured others at Genoa, but he 
believes from the same source as those at Nimes. 
[M. Crespon seems to have been the discoverer of the eggs and nidification of 
this species. In his ‘ Faune Méridionale,’ published at Nimes in 1844, he says 
(ii. pp. 118, 119) that hitherto nothing had been made known on the subject, 
and that it was only in August, 1841, that he learnt from a fisherman that the 
bird bred in the neighbourhood. He met with many nests, each containing 
three or four eggs, which resembled those of the Common Tern in size, had a 
green or sometimes a cinereous ground-colour, with blackish and brown spots 
and streaks, often confluent at the large end. The nests were shallow hollows, 
resting on the remains of broken reeds in the water, in no way fastened, and 
capable of changing their position. | 
§ 4386. One.—From Mr. A. H. Cochrane, through Mr. 
Hancock, 1854. 
[This was given by Mr. Hancock to Mr. Wolley during his flying visit to 
England in August, 1854. Needless to say that Mr, Cochrane’s eggs were 
trustworthy. ] 
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