18/1.] ON NEOTROPICAL LARID^E. 569 



Rogers on the coast of Southern Brazil offer no differences on com- 

 parison ; and we are therefore induced to follow Prof. Schlegel in 

 uniting S. elegans to S. galericulata of Lichtenstein, obtained from 

 the latter locality. It may be observed that Lichtenstein's descrip- 

 tion of S. galericulata is nearly as well applicable to S. maxima ; 

 but as Prof. Schlegel has had the advantage of examining oue of 

 Lichtenstein's typical specimens, we cannot doubt that he is correct 

 in making it identical with <S. elegans of Gambel (S. maxima being 

 = S. regia, Gambel). 



Fig. 2. 



Head of Sterna galericulata (reduced one-third). 



On reading Messrs. Philippi and Landbeck's description of thei 1 " 

 Sterna coma t a, we find it in every way applicable to the present 

 species, which might be naturally expected to extend down the 

 western coast, as it does down the eastern coast of South America. 



As already mentioned, the chief peculiarity of this species is its 

 long, slender, slightly incurved bill. 



3. Sterna cantiaca. 



Sterna cantiaca, Gm. S. N. i. p. 606; Schlegel, Mus. des P.-B. 

 Sternce, p. 5. 



Sterna acujlavida, Cabot, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. iii. 257; Baird, 

 B. N. A. 860. 



Thalasseus acvjlavidus, Coues, Pr. Acad. Phil. 1862, p. 540, et 

 Ibis, 1864, p. 389; Salvin, Ibis, 1866, p. 198; Gundl. Rep. F. N. 

 i. p. 392. 



Hab. Coast of Cuba (Gundlach) ; Atlantic coast of British Hon- 

 duras, and Pacific coast of Guatemala (Salvin). 



We fail to appreciate the distinctions attempted to be drawn be- 

 tween this species and its European representative. Dr. Coues has 

 ably discussed the subject, and has succeeded in reducing the differ- 

 ences between them to a minimum which is too small to warrant 

 specific separation. 



This is a northern species, and only appears to occur in the 

 northern part of the Neotropical region. Salvin found it breeding 

 on the coast of Belize in the month of May. 



4. Sterna forsteri. 



Sterna hirundo, Sw. et Rich. F. B.-A. ii. p. 412. 



Sterna forsteri, Nutt. Man. ii. 274 (note); Baird, B. N. A. 862; 



