THE ROSEATE TERN. 425 



very abundant in most parts of the country, but perhaps not so general as 

 the last. It breeds in March and April, laying three eggs on the bare 

 sand on banks in large rivers. The eggs are very similar to those of the 

 preceding, but smaller. 



763. STERNA DOUGALLI. 

 THE ROSEATE TERN. 



Sterna dougallii, Mont. Orn. Diet. Suppl. ; Saunrlers, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 652 ; Dresser, 

 Birds Eur. viii. p. 273, pi. ; Legge, S. F. iii. p. 376, iv. p. 246 ; Hume # Dar. 

 S. F. vi. p. 492 ; Hume, S. F. viii. p. 116 ; Parker, S. F. ix. p. 489 ; Legge, Birds 

 Ceylon, p. 1033 j Hume, S. F. x. p. 246, note. Sterna paradisea, Keys, fy Bias. 

 ]\'irb. Eur. p. 247; Hume t S. F. ii. p. 501 (nee JBriin.). Sterna gracilis, 

 Mould, P. Z. S. 1S47, p. 222 ; id. Birds Austr. vii. pi. 27 ; Hume, S. F. ii. p. 317 ; 

 Legge, S. F. iii. p. 370. Sternula korustes, Hume, S. F. ii. p. 318. 



Description. Summer plumage. Crown and nape deep glossy black; 

 back and upper surface of the wings delicate light French grey ; rump 

 and upper tail-coverts white, washed with grey ; rest of the plumage pure 

 white, except that the under surface of the body is tinged with delicate 

 light rose-colour ; first primary with the outer web black, the rest having 

 this part hoary grey ; inner webs of the primaries dark grey, broadly 

 margined to the tip of the feather with white ; bill red at the base, other- 

 wise black ; iris dark brown ; legs reddish orange. 



Winter plumage. Forehead and cheeks white ; crown and nape brownish 

 black, slightly marked with white ; lesser wing-coverts along the edge 

 brownish ; tail much shorter than in summer and the underparts without 

 any trace of rose-colour; otherwise coloured as in summer plumage. 

 (Dresser.) 



Legs and feet bright vermilion-red ; claws black; irides deep brown; 

 bill black ; gape and base of lower mandible varied from reddish fleshy to 

 vermilion-red. (Davison.) 



Length up to 15 inches, tail up to 7' 5, wing 8*7, tarsus *8, bill from 

 gape 2, fork of tail about 4. 



Tlio Roseate Tern was observed by Mr. Davison in Tenasserim oft' the 

 mouth of the Laynah Creek ; and Mr. Hume states that he has received 

 several specimens from the Bassein estuary. 



It has a wide range, being found in Europe, Africa and America. It has 

 been met with in various parts of India, Ceylon and the Andaman Islands, 

 and it extends down to Australia. 



