COMMON TEEN. 125 



Scilly Islands, on Walney Island, and on some of the Scottish 

 islands. 



Haunts. The sea. 



Observation. Distinguish from last by slimmer build, and 

 rather longer forked tail and shorter wings. 



Plumage. Generally much like the next, but the mantle 

 paler grey, and lower parts suffused with rose-colour. Tail 

 long and very forked. Bill black, orange-red at base. Legs 

 and feet orange-red. Length 15J in. Female like male. In 

 winter forehead almost white. Young: crown white, streaked 

 with black ; head and nape greyish black, streaked with white ; 

 blackish grey band on wings, with white edges ; back and 

 wings bluish grey, mottled with greyish black and yellowish 

 white ; throat, collar, and under parts white ; legs and feet 

 yellow. Nestling: buff above, marked with grey and white; 

 pure white below. 



Language. A harsh "crake," if anything, rather more 

 musical than last. 



Habits. Closely resembling the other Terns. 



Food. Fish. 



Nest. June. One brood. 



Site. Same as last, and usually on some isolated and un- 

 inhabited island. 



Materials. Same as last. 



Eggs. Two to three. Creamy white, blotched and spotted 

 with dark brown ; indistinguishable from the next two species. 



COMMON TEEN (Sterna Jluviatilis). 



Migrant ; May to September. Well distributed, being found 

 pretty abundantly all round our coast-lines except towards the 

 north, where its place is taken by its near relative the Arctic Tern. 



Observation. This bird differs from the Arctic Tern by its 

 slenderer build, whiter under parts, and its dark-tipped but 

 otherwise orange-red bill. 



Plumage. Head and nape black ; upper parts pearl-grey. 

 Bump and tail white ; under parts vinous grey. Bill orange- 

 red, with horn-coloured tip. Legs and feet orange-red. Tail 

 well forked. Length 14J in. Female similar. In winter fore- 

 head flecked with white ; under parts purer white, and bill and 

 feet duller. Young: brownish white forehead; upper parts 

 bluish grey, mottled with greyish brown ; brownish grey band 

 on upper wing-coverts ; under parts white ; legs and feet 

 reddish brown. Nestling : covered with down ; yellowish brown 

 above, mottled with black ; throat and forehead brown, white 

 below ; feet yellow. 



Language. A harsh cry, like " cree-cree-cree-ee." 



