152 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



in immature plumage. Its usual habitat is from Texas to 

 Florida and the West Indies. 



274. Sterna hirundo, Linn. — Wilson's Tern. Abun- 

 dant on the coast in summer. Breeds abundantly on the 

 sandy beaches and islands. This species, and also S. ma- 

 croara, are called, by popular writers, " Seamews." They 

 are also called "Tide Gulls" and " Meous." 



275. Sterna macroura, Naum. — Arctic Tern. Abun- 

 dant summer resident. I do not think it winters. Breeds 

 abundantly along the shore. Found it at Muskegat, breed- 

 ing apart from the other species. There is no difference 

 in the note between this and *$'. hirundo. 



The descriptions heretofore given of this bird have been 

 meagre, and in many cases erroneous, tending to produce 

 doubt as to its validity as a species. But as the specific 

 characters are well defined, and certain of them so constant 

 as fully to establish its claim as a species, I purpose to 

 give here a full description of it ? with a table of measure- 

 ments. 



Sterna macroura, Naum. — Arctic Tern, Bed-billed Tern. 



Sterna macroura. Naum., Isis 1819,1847. 



" macrura. Lawr., Birds. N. Am. 1858, p. 862. 



" macroura Coues, Proceedings Phil. Acad. N. S., Dec, 1862, 



p. 549. 

 Sterna arctea "Temm , Mar. d'Orn., II., 1820, p. 742. 1 ' 



Bon., Syn. 1828, No 287, p. 354. 

 " " Sw. & Rich., F B A., II., 1831, p. 414. 



u " Nutt , Man.. II , 1834, p 275. 



u " Aud., Orn. Biog , III., 1835, p. 296. — Ib. Birds 



Am. VII. 1844, p. 107; PI. CCCCXXIV* 

 " " Dr H. Bryant, Pro. Boston Soc. of Nat. Hist. VI., 



1858, p. 120. 



Sp. Ch. — Adult. Bill slender, slightly curved ; color, 

 bright carmine. Top of head and hind neck, black. Neck, 

 back, wing coverts, scapularies, secondaries, breast, and 



* Figures £. hirundo with black tip to bill. 



