TERN. NATATORES. STERNA. 48] 
of the interior to the open sea, and feeding on insects rather 
than on fish. On the European continent, it is abundant in 
Hungary (where it frequents the marshes, and the Lakes 
Neusidel and Platten), and on the confines of Turkey. Upon 
investigating specimens from North America, I feel no hesi- 
tation in considering the Marsh Tern of Wriison’s North 
American Ornithology to be the same bird, although Mr 
Orp (in the eighth volume of that work), is inclined to re- 
gard it as distinct, in consequence of some difference between 
the length of the bill and tarsi, as expressed in a drawing of 
the Sterna Aranea that he examined, and the proportions of 
those parts in the first species, as given by Montacu and 
Temmincx. In this Tern the bill is thicker and stronger 
than in all the preceding ones, and the angle at the sympha- 
sis of the lower mandible more prominent, the tarsi are also 
longer ; in all which particulars it shews a striking approach 
to the smaller species of the genus Larus, and thus forms a 
connecting link between the two genera. It breeds in the 
marshes, and on the edges of the lakes it inhabits, making no 
nest, but depositing on the bare ground three or four eggs 
of an oil-green colour, spotted with dark brown. It has not 
been known to breed in England, although most of the spe- 
cimens hitherto obtained, as well as that described and 
figured by Montacu, were in the summer or nuptial plu- 
mage. 
Puate 88. Fig. 1. represents this bird of the natural size, in 
the winter plumage. 
Forehead and crown white, with the shafts of the feathers 
grey. Anterior angle of the eyes, and spot upon the 
auriculars, greyish-black. Upper parts deep pearl- 
grey. Quills grey, having a hoary appearance; the 
tips of the first five being blackish-grey. Under plu- 
mage white. Wings, when closed, extending upwards 
of two inches beyond the tail. Bill not quite one inch 
and a-half in length, and entirely black. Legs and toes 
VOL. II. Hh 
Food. 
TIncuba- 
tion, &c. 
General 
descrip- 
tion. 
Winter 
plumage. 
