LARID^. 245 



and form, resemble the surrounding flints and 

 pebbles. 



ARCTIC TERN, Sterna arctica. Is decidedly 

 more numerous on Pevensey Shingle during May 

 and June than the last species. In fact, this bird 

 is here " the common tern," and would appear to 

 be more generally distributed throughout the 

 British Islands than any of its congeners. In 

 May, 1842, large flocks appeared almost simulta- 

 neously at Devonport, Bristol and Gloucester, and 

 at various places on the coasts of Hampshire, Sussex 

 and Kent. This tern may at once be distinguished 

 from the so-called common tern with which it 

 has evidently been frequently confused by the 

 prevalent light grey colour of the lower parts? 

 which in the latter are of a delicately pure white. 

 The tarsi are also much shorter. 



GULL-BILLED TERN, Sterna Anglica. A very 

 scarce and local visitor. First described by 

 Colonel Montagu, who obtained examples at Rye. 

 There is a specimen in my own collection which 

 was shot in that neighbourhood. 



LESSER TERN, Sterna minuta. Provincial, 

 Little Skiff. Of frequent occurrence at Pevensey 

 during the breeding- season and autumn. 



BLACK TERN, Sterna fissipes. A rare bird in 

 Sussex. Has occasionally been killed at the 

 period of the spring and autumnal migrations, 



