HYDROCHELIDON 807 



3 ad. (Algeria). Differs from H. nigra in having the upper and 

 under parts deep black ; the upper tail-coverts, tail, edge of the wing, and 

 lesser wing-coverts white, the larger coverts French-grey ; under tail- 

 coverts white ; bill reddish black ; legs coral-red ; iris dark brown. 

 Culmen I'l, wing 8 -2, tail 3'0, tarsus 0'8, middle toe with claw 0'9 inch. 

 In winter and in immature dress it may be distinguished from H. nigra 

 by having the rump and upper tail-coverts almost white, the bill stouter, 

 and the tarsus and foot longer. 



Hob. Central and Southern Europe ; an irregular visitor to 

 Britain ; Africa as far south at least as the Transvaal ; Asia 

 Minor and Asia east to China, north to Dauria; Mongolia; 

 Manchuria ; Burma ; Eastern India and Ceylon ; south to 

 Australia and New Zealand ; has been obtained in Wisconsin 

 (North America) and Barbadoes. 



In habits this Tern resembles H. nigra. but its note is louder 

 and harsher, and it is somewhat swifter and more agile on the 

 wing. It breeds in societies in marshy localities, and its nest and 

 eggs resemble those of the Black Tern. 



1112. WHISKERED TERN. 

 HYDROCHELIDON HYBRIDA. 



Hydrochelidon hybrida (Pall.), Zoogr. Ross. As. ii. p. 338 (1811) ; 

 Dresser, viii. p. 315, pis. 588, 589 ; David and Oust. Ois. Chine, 

 p. 524 ; Saunders, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xxv. p. 10 ; id. Manual, p. 537 ; 

 Blanf. F. Brit. Ind. Birds, iv. p. 307 ; Lilford, vi. p. 5, pi. 3 ; H. 

 leucopareia (Natterer), in Temm. Man. d'Orn. ii. p. 746 (1820) ; 

 (Gould), B. of E. v. pi. 424 ; id. B. of Gt. Brit. v. pi. 77 ; (Naum.), 

 x. p. 168, Taf. 255; Hewitson, ii. p. 483, pi. cxxxiv. fig. 2 ; 

 Ridgway, p. 47 ; H.fluviatilis, Gould, P.Z.S. 1842, p. 140 ; id. B. of 

 Austral, viii. pi. 31. 



Hirondelle de mer moustac, French ; Paino mayor, Span. ; 

 Mignattino ligio, Ital. ; Weissbartige Seeschwalbe, German ; 

 Mer&hik, Moor. 



$ ad. (S. Spain). Crown and nape glossy black ; upper parts and 

 tail slate-grey, rather darker on the primaries ; outermost tail-feathers 

 with the outer web white ; a white streak from the gape to the nape ; 

 chin white, throat grey, darker on the breast, and becoming black on the 

 abdomen and flanks ; under wing- and tail-coverts white ; bill and legs 

 blood-red; iris dark brown. Culmen 1 '45, wing 9*2, tail 3'4. outer tail- 

 feathers 0*7 longer than the middle ones, tarsus 0*9 inch. Sexes alike. 

 In winter the forehead and fore crown are white, the rest of the crown, 

 nape, and hind neck black marked with white, the upper parts paler than 

 in summer, and the under parts white. The young bird is similar, but has 

 the upper parts blotched with blackish. 



