KEY TO THK WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. I97 



Length. 15 ; Wing, 10.30; Tail. 5.50: Tar.sus. .75: 



i;iii,i.45. 



A widely distributed species not un- 

 common in Florida in winter. It breeds 

 commonh' along tbe Atlantic coast : tbe 

 eggs are three in number, grayish or buff 

 white, marked with chocolate brown. 



STERNA DOUGALLI Montag. 

 Roseate Tern. 



Adult spring plumage : bill black, tinged with red at 

 base : slender ; cap black : upper plumage pearl gray ; 

 under parts white, tinged with pink when freshly killed. 

 Tail entirely white ; outer feather longer than the 

 others: legs vermillion red; iris brown. Adult in 

 winter: Forehead whitish or grayish white ; occiput 

 and upper nape black. Immature specimens have the 

 upper parts mottled with gray and buff. 



Length. 15; Wing. 7.75; Tail. 7.50: Tarsus. .85 ; 

 Bill. 1.55. 



x\ common species on the Atlantic coast. It is resident and breeds in 

 Florida, ranging in summer north to New England. 



The eggs are three in number, pale, buffy gray or grayish white 

 marked with chocolate brown. 



STERNA ANTILLARUM {Less:). 

 Least Tern. 



Adult in summer : Bill yellow, tipped with black : fore- 

 head white ; crown and lores black ; upper parts pearl gray ; 

 under parts white : outer primaries brownish black on outer 

 webs and inner half of inner webs ; tail white ; feet orange 

 yellow. 



' Adult in luinter : Forepart of crown white, marked with 



\ . black ; occiput black. Immature birds have the upper parts 



mottled with buff and the l)ill dark brown. 



Length. 9.50; Wing. 7; Tail. 3.50; Tarsus, .60; Hill, 1.20. 

 This is the smallest of the Terns. It is resident in parts of Florida and 

 breeds in the State. The eggs are three, sometimes four, pale buff or 

 brownish white dotted with brown. 



