422 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



Genus STERNA, Linn. 



760. STERNA ANGLICA. 

 THE GULL-BILLED TERN. 



Sterna anglica, Mont. Orn. Diet. Suppl. Sterna affinis, Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. 

 xiii. p. 199. Gelochelidon anglicus, Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 836 ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. 

 p. 371 j Bl B. Burm. p. 163 ; Hume fy Dav. S. F. vi. p. 491. Sterna nilotica 

 (v. Hass.}, Hume, S. F. i. p. 281 ; Armstrong, 8. F. iv. p. 351. Sterna anglica, 

 Sounders, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 644 ; Dresser, Birds Fur. viii. p. 295, pi. ; Hume, 

 S. F. viii. p. 115 ; Legge, Birds Ceylon, p. 1011 j Gates, S. F. x. p. 246. 



Description. Summer plumage. Forehead, crown, nape and the adjoining 

 part of the back of the neck black ; upper plumage, wings and tail pale 

 grey ; lores, sides of the neck and the whole lower plumage pure white. 



In winter the portion of the plumage of the head and neck which is 

 black in summer turns white and is streaked with grey ; the ear-coverts 

 and a space round the eye are blackish, mottled here and there with 

 whitish. 



Bill, legs and feet black ; iris brown. In summer the bill and legs are 

 tinged with red. 



Length about 15 inches, tail 5*5, wing 13*5, tarsus T4, bill from gape 2, 

 fork of tail about T7. 



The Gull-billed Tern was recorded from Arrakan by Mr. Blyth in his 

 ( Catalogue ; ' and Dr. Armstrong met with it on the coast of the Irrawaddy 

 Delta near Elephant Point. Mr. Hume has received it from the mouth of 

 the Bassein Creek. I did not meet with it in the Sittang river or other 

 apparently suitable localities. 



It occurs in Europe and North Africa, extending through Asia to China 

 and ranging down to Australia. It does not appear to retire in summer 

 far north, for it breeds in Southern Europe, the Punjaub and Central Asia. 

 It ranges to the coasts of America. 



This species was observed by Dr. Armstrong only on the coast, where 

 it hunted for its prey at the water's edge. In India and other parts 

 it appears to be a marsh-Tern, frequenting rivers and being found over 

 every portion of the interior. To Burmah it is not likely to be other than 

 a winter visitor. 



