302 Imhld Museum or Nai'iirai, History -Z()(')L(k;v, Vol. IX 



weeds and i^rass, usually in a nuirsli. The eggs are three (rarely 4) 

 in nunil)er, pale olive gray (sonielinies bufFy white), marked and 

 blotehed with choeolate brown, and measure about 1.85 x 1.J50 

 inehes. 



"Rather common summer resident in this portion of the state, 

 breeds in the numerous small reedy lakes." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 

 1876, p. 147.) " Although the larger part are migratory, a good many 

 still nest within the state." (Kumlien and llollister, Birds of Wiscon- 

 sin, 1903, p. 12.) 



26. Sterna hirundo Linn. 



CoMMox Tp:r\. 



Distr.: Ranges throughout eastern North America, breeding nearly 

 throughout its range from Florida to the Arctic ocean; winters from 

 Virginia southward. 



Adidt in summer: Bill, >'cd, broadly tij^ped with Ijlack; feet, red; 

 crown, black; upper parts, pearl gray; under parts, pale ashy gray; 

 feet, orange red. 



Adult ill winter: Forehead and crown, white or grayish white; 

 under parts, white; bill, blackish. Immature specimens have the 

 upper parts mottled with buff or pale brown. The outer web of outer 

 tail feather is darker than the inner iveh at all seasons. 



Length, about 15; wing, about 10.30; tail, 5.50; tarsus, about 

 75; bill, 1.45. 



Common Tern. 



The present species is not uncommon at times on Lake Michigan 

 during the migrations, and a few remain to breed in Wisconsin. The 



