CASPIAN TERN 



64. Sterna caspia. 21 in. 



Largest of our terns. Bill heavy and bright red; 

 head crested; tail forked about 1.5 in.; eyes brown. 

 Adults in summer have the crown and occipital crest 

 glossy black. Winter adults and young birds have the 

 crown mixed with white, and the latter are also blotcned 

 with blackish on wings and tail. 



Nest. The 2 or 3 buffy, spotted eggs are laid in hol- 

 lows in the sand. Size 2.60x1.75. 



Range. Breeds locally along the South Atlantic coast 

 and in the interior to Great Slave Lake. 



ROYAL TERN 



65. Sterna maxima. 19 in. 



Similar to the last, but smaller; bill more slender; 

 j tail forked 3.5 in. 



Nest. A hollow in the sand. The 2 or 3 eggs are 

 I creamy buff, with distinct blackish-brown spots ( 2.150 x 

 [ 1.70). 



Range. Breeds in the Gulf States and north to Vir- 

 ginia and Calif.; winters south of the U. S. 



