24 LONGIPENNES: Long-winged Swimmers 



ARCTIC TERN 



(71. Sterna paradisaea) 12-13 in. 



Mantle much darker than in other white-bodied Terns, while 

 in breeding dress the white of under parts is nearly all replaced 

 by neutral gray. In size and general appearance, and in winter 

 plumage, resembles the Common Tern. 



This species is noted as making the longest migration of all 

 birds, and enjoying more hours of sunshine throughout the year 

 than any other species. 



LEAST TERN 



(74. Sterna antillarum) 9 in. 



Adult: Forehead white; a black stripe from bill through eye; 

 otherwise has the black cap, pearly mantle, and deeply-forked 

 tail of other white-bodied Terns; side feathers of tail greatly 

 lengthened in spring. Its small size and head markings are 

 distinctive. 



Immature: Upper parts with crescentic marks of buffy or 

 brownish. 



Its airy flight justifies the name "Sea-swallow." It has 

 steadily " retired before civilization" until extinct in many 

 localities where formerly abundant. 



BLACK TERN 



(T7. Chlidonias nigra surinamensis) 10 in. 



Adult, in spring: Black, with slaty-gray mantle and tail and 

 white under tail-coverts. At a distance appears wholly black. 



Fall adults are variously blotched with white on lower parts; 

 in winter, all white except dusky ear and nape marks, and 

 mantle as in spring. 



Immatures like winter adults, but have mantle, crown, and 

 nape dusky or brown marked. 



The only dark-bodied Tern of our region. 



