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BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE BLACK TERX. 



(Sterna Nigra^ Linn. Hirondelle de mer ep(nwantatl> 

 Temm. 



THIS bird generally measures ten inches in 

 length, and twenty-four in breadth, and weighs 

 about two ounces and a half. The bill is black, 

 and from the tip to the brow is about an inch and a 

 quarter long; the head, neck, breast, and under 

 part, as far as the thighs, black; the lower belly 

 and vent pale ash ; the upper parts of the plumage, 

 including the wings and tail, are dark hoary lead- 

 coloured blue; the tail is not greatly forked, nor 

 long, and in most specimens, the exterior webs of 

 the two outside feathers are white; the legs and 

 feet crimson; claws black; the female does not 

 differ materially in her appearance from the male. 



This species frequents the sea-shores in summer, 

 but in habits and manners it differs somewhat from 



