On the so-called Sterna Porllandica. 207 



dissection and observation of the habits while in life. Now 

 such being the case, the natural tendency to wander, in 

 individuals which are burdened by no family cares and have 

 nothing to do but enjoy themselves, will scatter them away 

 from the breeding grounds and thus render their capture 

 much less likely. We do not, however, at the present time, 

 feel at all sure that all the young of either macrura or 

 hirundo, assume this plumage, and do not breed the first 

 season ; this is a point which future investigation can alone 

 decide. 



In conclusion, we desire to express our great indebtedness 

 to Mr. E. B. Towne, Jr., of No. Raynham, and Mr. Jesse 

 Warren of Newton, Mass. A large portion of the material 

 investigated during the preparation of the present paper 

 was collected by these gentlemen, and many of the conclu- 

 sions herein arrived at were the result of their careful study 

 while in the field, and were first suggested by them. 



We have also to express our thanks to Messrs. G. N. 

 Lawrence, J. A. Allen and C. J. Maynard, for the use of 

 valuable specimens. 



