286 



OUPEB 



many of the feathers with an irregular wavy mark of dark brown near the tip ; the smaller wing- 

 coverts greyish brown ; underparts white, as in the adult. Bill yellowish brown ; feet dull yellow. 

 The tail is less acuminate at the sides than in the fully adult bird. 



This is the smallest of our Terns, and is the southern representative of the Sterna minuta of 

 Europe. It is tolerably common on all our coaste, and occurs also very plentifully along the 

 shores of Western Australia. 



It is very active in its movements, flies high, turns in the air with facility, and dips into the 

 water after its prey in a very adroit manner. 



Its note is a harsh scream ; and during the breeding-season it is very clamorous, especially 

 when its nesting-ground is invaded, or even approached. It usually lays two eggs ; these are of 

 a regular oval form, measuring 1'4 inch in length by 1"05 in breadth, and are of a yellowish 

 white, the whole surface marked with obscure spots of purplish grey. 



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