TERN. NATATORES. STERNA. 465 
Sterna Africana, Gmel. Syst. 1. 605.—Lath. Ind. Orn. 805. sp. 5. Bird not quite 
African Tern, Lath. Syn. 6. 354. 5.—Id. Gen. Hist. 10. 108. matured. 
Sterna striata? Lath. Ind. Orn. 2. 807. sp. 11.—Gmel. Syst. 1. 609. Young before 
Striated Tern, Lath. Syn. 6. 358. 10. t. 98. the moult. 
Tuts bird appears to have escaped the notice of the ear- Periodical 
lier British writers, as we do not find any description appli- VSi#"t-: 
cable to it previous to that of Dr Latuam, in his General 
Synopsis, to whom it was communicated as a new species by 
Dr Boys of Sandwich in Kent. In size it equals, or is in a 
very slight degree larger than, the Gull-billed Tern, with 
which it has sometimes been confounded, but is smaller than 
the Caspian Tern, as it seldom exceeds eighteen inches in 
length, and about two feet nine inches in extent of wing. 
Upon the southern coast, where it was first discovered, it is 
far from being numerous, even during the breeding season, 
as Monracu observes, that during a summer’s residence on 
the coasts of Kent and Sussex, where the other species were 
plentiful. he was only able to procure two specimens, and 
never could discover their breeding station. It annually re- 
sorts in great numbers to the Fern Islands, on the coast of 
Northumberland, as wellas to the Isle of Coquet, a few miles 
to the southward. Here a station is selected apart from the 
other species, generally on a higher site, and the nests are so 
close to each other as to render it difficult to cross the ground 
without breaking the eggs, or injuring the unfledged young. 
Upon this coast it is called, par excellence, ** the Tern,” all 
the other species passing under the general name of “ Sea 
Swallows.” Its habits strongly resemble those of its genus, 
and it subsists upon similar kinds of fish, the sand-launce and Food. 
young gar-fish forming the principal supply, and upon which 
it precipitates itself as they rise near to the surface of the 
ocean. Its flight is strong and rapid, making a great ad- 
vance at each stroke of the pinions, and, except when engaged 
in incubation, it is almost constantly on the wing, utter- 
ing at intervals a hoarse and grating cry, which can be heard 
at a very great distance, and gives notice of its approach long 
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