LAKID.E. 291 



further describes the note as resembling that of the Common 

 Curlew, " but not so loud or musical." 



Crown uniformly striated, no pale streak ; axillaries white ; flanks marked 

 with conspicuous dark pear-shaped spots. About size of the Whimbrel. 



324. Numenius phseopus (Linnaeus) . The "Whimbrel. 

 Favier's notes on this species are the same as on the Curlew, 



except that he adds " this bird arrives earlier from the north, and 

 though very common, does not remain in the neighbourhood of 

 Tangier for the winter, but passes on further south." 



On the Spanish side of the Straits, the Whimbrel, plentiful in 

 autumn and spring up to the end of April, is occasionally seen 

 in winter; and, as elsewhere, is far less wary and difficult to 

 approach than the Curlew. 



Crown dark brown, with pale streak along the top ; in some young birds 

 this streak is almost obsolete, and the brown on head has a glossy sheen ; 

 axillaries white, barred more or less with brown. Length 16-18 inches. 



325. Numenius hudsonicus, Latham. The American Whim- 

 brel. 



A specimen of this Whimbrel was obtained by Lord Lilford in 

 the Coto de Donana on the 3rd of May, 1872 (' Ibis,' 1873, 

 p. 98). 



About size of the last. Crown pale brown, with pale streak along the 

 centre ; axillaries rufous. 



Order GAVIJ3. Family LARIDJE. 



Subfamily STERNIN^E. Legs and feet small and weak ; 

 bill as long as or longer than head. 



326. Hydrochelidon nigra (Linnaeus). The Black Tern. 

 Spanish. Cencerillo, Paino. 



" This Tern is abundant near Tangier when on passage, 

 crossing the Straits in large nights during May, and returning in 



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