434 BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 



the first three, which are clay -coloured. This is a much rarer species; and 

 I think we are justified in identifying the Sterna alba of Sparrman with 

 the larger and better known species. 



Genus ANGUS, Stephens. 



772. ANGUS STOLIDUS. 

 THE COMMON NODDY. 



Sterna stolida, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 227. Anous stolidus, Gould, B. Austr. vii. 

 pi. 34 ; Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. p. 845 ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 379 ; Hume, S. F. ii. 

 p. 320, iv. p. 478 ; Saunders, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 669 ; David et Oust. Ois. Chine, 

 p. 529 ; Hume, S. F. viii. p. 116 ; Legge, Birds Ceylon, p. 1043. 



Description. Male and female. The whole plumage chocolate-brown, the 

 quills, tail and lesser wing-coverts almost black ; forehead and crown 

 greyish white, gradually paling off on the hind neck ; a black streak on the 

 upper eyelid produced forwards onto the lores ; a small line of white on 

 the lower eyelid. 



Irides deep brown ; bill black, orange at the angle of the gape ; legs and 

 feet dusky vinous purple ; the webs paler and more dove-colour ; claws 

 black. (Hume.) 



Length 16 inches, tail 6*2, wing 11, tarsus -95, bill from gape 2*4; tail 

 rounded, the outer feathers falling short of the tip by about 2 inches. 



The Common Noddy is stated by Dr. Jerdon to occur in the Bay of 

 Bengal. 



It is met with throughout the inter tropical seas of the whole world, 

 sometimes ranging north and south of the tropics. 



The Noddies are black Terns with rounded tails ; they are found far 

 out at sea and they breed on rocks and islands. Mr. Hume found the 

 present species breeding on one of the Laccadive Islands in February. 

 The eggs are usually laid on the sand, but in some places they are said to 

 construct nests of seaweed on bushes and rocks ; each nest contains but a 

 single egg. 



