2S5 



THE BLACK TEEN. 

 Sterna nigra. 



PLATE XXII. 



Sterna nigra, Linn. Viralva ngira, Leach, Steph. Hirondelle 

 de mer noir ou epouventail^ Tejnm. Black Tern or Sea 

 Swallow of British authors. 



THE Black Tern, as will be seen from the synonims, 

 has been considered by some worthy of a sub-generic 

 rank, the differences in form, are, however, not very 

 marked, and here we think it unnecessary to sepa- 

 rate them. Its habits, during incubation at least, 

 are, however, different, being an inland breeding 

 bird, frequenting lakes and extensive marshes, and 

 during that time being in a great measure insecti- 

 vorous. In Scotland we are not aware of specimens 

 being obtained, and no breeding station exists ; in 

 England it resorts principally the fenny districts of 

 Norfolk, Lincoln, and Cambridgeshire, besides other 

 less noted situations ; but some of these are dis- 

 appearing, and one in Norfolk, where, twenty years 

 since, hundreds of nests might be found, has been 

 broken up for some time. * In Ireland it breeds at 

 a small lake at Roxburgh, near Middleton, Cork.t 

 * Yarrell. t Ditto. 



