LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS 



65. ROYAL TERN. Sterna maxima. 



Range. Temperate North and South America, 

 breeding in the United States locally from Texas 

 and the Gulf States northward to the northern 

 boundary of the United States. 



The Royal Terns nest in great numbers on the 

 coasts and islands on the South Atlantic and 

 Gulf States and in the marshes of southern Texas. 



Grayish buff 



Like the former species they lay two or three 

 eggs in a hollow on the bare sand. The eggs are 

 the same size but differ in being more pointed 

 and having a lighter ground and with the mark- 

 ings more bold and distinct. Size 2.60 x 1.70. 



66. ELEGANT TERN. Sterna elegans. 



Range. Pacific Coast of South and Central 

 America; north to California in summer. 



A similar bird to the Royal Tern, but easilyGull-billed Tern 



Caspian Tern 



Royal Tern 



Cream color 



distinguished by its smaller size, 

 slender bill, and more graceful 

 form. In the breeding plumage 

 the under parts of these Terns 

 are tinged with rosy, which 

 probably first gave the birds 

 their name. They breed on the 

 coasts and islands of Mexico and 

 Central America, placing their 

 eggs on the sand. They are be- 

 lieved to lay but a single egg, 

 like that of the Royal Tern, but 

 smaller. Size 2.40 x 1.40. Data. 

 Honduras, Central America, 

 June 5, 1899. Single egg laid on 

 the sandy beach. 





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