WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. 



HYDROCHELIDON LEUCOPTERA {Schinz). 



Sterna leucoptera, Schinz in Meisn. & Schinz's Vog. d. 



Schweiz, p. 264 (1815) ; Naum. x. p. 215. 

 Hydrochelidon leucoptera, Macg. v. p. 661 ; Yarr. ed. 4, iii. 



p. 522; Dresser, viii. p. 321. 



Hirondelle de mer leucoptere, French ; Weissfi'dgelige 

 Seeschwalbe, German; Fumarell, Valencian ; Alsio, 

 Catalan. 



This bird, though never abundant in our country, 

 may be considered as a frequent vernal visitor to 

 England and Ireland, and from its close resemblance in 

 size, form, and habits to the Black Tern, it is more 

 than possible that it may in former years often have 

 escaped special notice or record. At the present time, 

 however, the Black Tern is nearly, if not quite, as 

 casual a visitor as the present species, and British bird- 

 collectors would, I fear, show as little mercy to the one 

 as to the other. The White-winged Black Tern was 

 very common during the vernal passage in April and May 

 in the Ionian marshes ; but I could not ascertain that 

 it bred either in the islands or on the opposite main- 



