TERNS. 79 



fin at the end of the feather, white ; tail white, lightly forked, the middle 

 feather* grayish; under part* white; bill and feet black, the former rather 

 abort and stout. .!/. in ici*t<r. Similar to the above, but top of the head 

 w hiir. auricular* grayish, and a space in front of the eye blackish. L., 14-&0; 

 W., 12-00; T., ft-50; B., 14" ; depth of B. at bane, -60. 



Jianyt. Cosmopolitan ; in N-rtli America breeds along the Gulf coast from 

 Mexico to Florida, and on the Atlantic coast north to Virginia, straying 

 northward rarely to Main.-. 



Washington, casual. Long Island. A. V. in SUIHIIH r. 



Eyyt, three to five, rutlu-r unif<>riu burty white, with numerous distinct and 

 obocure chocolate markings, 1*80 x 1-30. 



This is a common species on the coast of our Southern States. It 

 is said to prefer insects, which it catches on the wing, to fish. Its voice 

 is harsh and easily distinguishable from that of other Tern.", while its 

 heavy black bill will also serve to identify it. 



64. Sterna tschegrava Lfpech. CAPIMAN TERX. Ad. in tpriny. 

 Top and back of the head shining black, the feathers K -ngtlu m-<l t<> form 

 a erect; back of the neck, under parts, and tuil white; back and wings pearl- 

 gray; primaries dark slaty, silvery <n the outer web i Fiif. 61, n) ; I. ill coral- 

 red, darker near the tip ; feet black. Ad. after the breeding tetunn and in 

 trinUr. Similar to. the above, but top of the head streaked with black. 1m. 

 Top of head streaked with black and white; back of neck and under part* 

 white ; back, wing-coverts, and tcrtials pearl-gray, spotted or burred with 

 brownish black; primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web; tuil pearl- 

 gray, more or loss barred with brownish black ; bill orange-red ; feet black- 

 ish brown. L., 21-00; W., 16-20; T., 6-00; B., 2-80. 



Kange. A cosmopolitan species of irregular distribution ; in North Amer- 

 ica, breeds locally from Texas to Great Slave Lake ; migrates through the in- 

 terior and on the coast, and apparently does not winter within our limits. 



Long Island, uncommon T. V., Aug. and Sept 



Egg*, two to three, grayish white or butty white, with rather small, dis- 

 tinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2-70 x 1-88. 



This large Tern of local distribution is to be known by its size and 

 red bill. Unless the two were seen together, however, I do not believe 

 it could with certainty be distinguished in life from the Itoyal Tern. 



66. Sterna "TV**"** Rodd, ROTAL TERX. Ad. in ipring. Top and 

 back of the head shining block, the feathers lengthened to form a crest ; 

 back of the neck, under parts, and tail white ; back and wings pearl-gray ; 

 inner web of primaries, except at the tip, white ; tip, outer web, and shad part 

 of inner web dark, silvery slate-color (Fig. 61, At. .W. a/ttr tkt br*di*g 

 teaton and in winter. Similar to the above, but top of the head streaked 

 with black and white, Im. Resembling the young of 8. tocbfr***, bat 

 smaller and with the inner half of the inner web of the primaries white. I*, 

 W., 14-00 ; T., 7-00 ; B., 2-60. 



Kangt, Breeding in North America along the Gulf coast from Texas to 



