THE WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. 121 



tail-coverts pure white : under wing-covert * black and blackish grey, 

 the edge of the wing mottled with white: honk reddish black ; iris dark 

 brown; legs and feet vermilion-red with u coral tinge. (Dresser.) 



Winter plumage. Forehead and crown white ; nape and occiput dark 

 grey, as also the back and scapulars ; the rump and upper tail-coverts pale 

 greyish, almost white; throat, Fore neck, under tail-coverts and under 

 wing white ; breast greyish ; in front <>F the eye a black spot. (Leyye.) 



First autumn plumage. Tarsi and feet reddish brown; bill blackish; 

 crown, occiput and nape brown ; the white of the sides of the nape 

 encroaching on tin* dark colour of the nape just behind the ear; interscapu- 

 lary region and scapulars earth-brown, the feathers tipped with Fulvous ; 

 lower back brownish slaty ; rump white ; tail and the coverts slate-grey, 

 the former tinged with brown and tipped with white ; wing-coverts slate- 

 grey, tipped with fulvous and brown ; lesser coverts dark slate-grey 

 edged with white ; primaries blackish grey, the outer webs " Frosted " ; 

 beneath white, passing round the hind neck. (Leyye.} 



Length 9'5 inches, tail 3, wing 8'2, tarsus '75, bill from gape T25. 



This species can be separated at all ages from the preceding by its 

 smaller size ; in winter plumage they are otherwise much alike. 



I met with the White-winged Black Tern at the mouth of the Sittang 

 about Kyasoo and on the Canal and adjoining creeks. It was always in 

 company with the Whiskered Tern, from which it was ^distinguishable 

 when on the wing. I found it quite common in the winter months and 

 procured a large series. It has not yet been recorded from any other part 

 of Burmah. 



It occurs in a considerable portion of Europe and Africa, and it 

 extends through Asia as far north as South Siberia, ranging down through 

 the Malayan archipelago to Australia. It breeds in Central Asia and 

 in parts of Europe in swamps. 



