138 



BLACK TEEN. 



PLATE CCXVIII. FIG. II. 



Sterna nigra, 



u 



Sterna fissipes, 

 Sterna ncevia, 



FLEMING. SELBT. 

 JENYNS. GOULD. 

 PENNANT. 

 PENNANT. 



THESE birds build together in great numbers; they choose for the 

 purpose swampy places among moors or fens. Their nests are either 

 placed in some slight mound of earth, or tuft of grass or rushes, close 

 to, or floated on the water, among the kindred sterns and stalks of 

 flags and reeds, and with grass for the inner portion. 



The eggs are three in number, and still often er four, and of a rather 

 dark olive green or olive brown colour, blotted and spotted with deep 

 brown or black, principally at the larger end. 



The young are produced in fifteen or sixteen days. 



