DESCRIPTIVE LIST 35 



19. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida (Cabot). CABOT'S TERN. 



Description. Plumages essentially similar to the corresponding ones of the Royal Tern. 

 Bill deep black, usually with yellowish or whitish tip. L., 14.00-16.00; W., 12.50; T., 6.00. 



Range. Breeds from North Carolina to Mexico; winters from Florida to Brazil. 



Range in North Carolina. Coastal region in summer; breeds. Coues observed it at Fort 

 Macon in 1870 as a migrant and scarce winter visitor. 



"Dr. Coues makes mention of the Cabot's Tern occurring at Fort Macon in 1871 

 as a migrant and infrequent winter visitor. Apparently no ornithologist again 

 noticed this species until Bishop recorded its appearance at Pea Island, August 31, 

 1904, and again on August 4, 1906. It was, therefore, with much surprise that I 

 found the bird breeding on Royal Shoal Island in June, 1908. The nests, over 

 twenty of which I counted, were merely slight excavations in the sand among the 

 shells. All were situated among the closely clustered nests of the Royal Tern, 

 with which the Cabot's Tern seemed to associate constantly. Like their large 

 neighbors, they were very tame, and I easily photographed them at a distance not 

 greater than fifteen feet. Late in the day, by exercising much patience, I crawled 

 over the bare beach to within seven feet of one as it sat on its eggs, and for several 

 minutes we observed each other at leisure. During the course of my approach the 

 brooding bird frequently left its eggs and hovered above it, but quickly settled 

 again when my movements ceased. Warden N. F. Jennett, who guards the island, 

 reported that sixty-four Cabot's Tern eggs were laid during the season of 1907, 

 and that in 1908 one hundred and twenty-six eggs were deposited. Two eggs 

 are usually found in a nest. It is interesting to note that Royal Shoal and Legged 

 Lump, but a few miles distant, probably constitute the northern breeding range 

 of the bird on the Atlantic Coast of America." PEARSON. 



20. Sterna forsteri (Nutt.). FORSTER'S TERN. 



Description. Summer adult pale pearl-gray above, white below; whole top of head and nape 

 black; bill dull orange, feet orange-red; in winter somewhat duller, with whole top of head 

 white; immature birds similar to winter adults, but duller. Inner web of outer tail-feather 

 dusky towards end, the outer web entirely white. L.. 14.00-15.00; W., 9.50-10.25; T., 5.50-7.75. 



FIG. 13. FORSTER'S TERN. 



Range. North America, breeding on the Atlantic Coast as far south as Virginia, and win- 

 tering from South Carolina to Central America. 



Range in North Carolina. Now accidental in the coastal region. 



