TERN. NATATORES. STERNA. 465 



Sterna Africana, Gmel Syst. 1. 605 Lath. Ind. Orn. 805. sp. 5. \ Bird not quite 



African Tern, Lath. Syn. 6. 354. 5 Id. Gen. Hist. 10. 108. j matured. 



Sterna striata? Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 807- sp. 11 Gmel. Syst. 1. 609. \ Y oung before 



Striated Tern, Lath. Syn. 6. 358. 10. t. 98. J the moult. 



THIS bird appears to have escaped the notice of the ear- Periodical 

 lier British writers, as we do not find any description appli- vlsltant - 

 cable to it previous to that of Dr LATHAM, in his General 

 Synopsis, to whom it was communicated as a new species by 

 Dr BOYS of Sandwich in Kent. In size it equals, or is in a 

 very slight degree larger than, the Gull-billed Tern, with 

 which it has sometimes been confounded, but is smaller than 

 the Caspian Tern, as it seldom exceeds eighteen inches in 

 length, and about two feet nine inches in extent of wing. 

 Upon the southern coast, where it was first discovered, it is 

 far from being numerous, even during the breeding season, 

 as MONTAGU observes, that during a summer's residence on 

 the coasts of Kent and Sussex, where the other species were 

 plentiful, he was only able to procure two specimens, and 

 never could discover their breeding station. It annually re- 

 sorts in great numbers to the Fern Islands, on the coast of 

 Northumberland, as well as to the Isle of Coquet, a few miles 

 to the southward. Here a station is selected apart from the 

 other species, generally on a higher site, and the nests are so 

 close to each other as to render it difficult to cross the ground 

 without breaking the eggs, or injuring the unfledged young. 

 Upon this coast it is called, par excellence, " the Tern*" all 

 the other species passing under tfye general name of " Sea 

 Swallows." Its habits strongly resemble those of its genus, 

 and it subsists upon similar kinds of fish, the sand-launce and Food, 

 young gar-fish forming the principal supply, and upon which 

 it precipitates itself as they rise near to the surface of the 

 ocean. Its flight is strong and rapid, making a great ad- 

 vance at each stroke of the pinions, and, except when engaged 

 in incubation, it is almost constantly on the wing, utter- 

 ing at intervals a hoarse and grating cry, which can be heard 

 at a very great distance, and gives notice of its approach long 



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