198 LESSER TERN. Class It. 



2. Lesser. Sterna minuta. St. cauda for- Raii Syn. nv. 131. 



ficata, corpore albo, dorso La petite Hirondelle de mcr. 



cano, fronte superciliisque Brisson av. vi. 206. tab. ig. 



albis. Lath. Ind. orn. 8O9. Jig- 2. Hist, d'ois. viii. 33?. 



id. Syn. vi. 364. PL Enl. 996. 



Lams piscator (Fischerlin, Sterna minuta. Gm. Lin. 6O8. 



Fel.) Gesner av. 587. Jig- Haetting Taerne. Brunnich, 



588. 152. 



Aldr. av. ill. 35. " Br.Zool. 144. Tah. L. 2. Arct. 



Lesser Sea Swallow. Wil. orn. Zool. ii. 23g. 



353. 



TION. 



Descrip- JLHE weight of this species is only two ounces 

 five grains; the length eight inches and a half; 

 the breadth nineteen and a half. The bill 

 is yellow, tipt with black; the forehead and 

 cheeks white; from the eyes to the bill is a 

 black line ; the top of the head, and hind part 

 black ; the breast and under side of the body 

 cloathed with feathers so closely set together, 

 and of such an exquisite rich gloss, and so fine 

 a white, that no satin can be compared to it : 

 the back and wings are of a pale grey ; the tail 

 short, less forked than that of the former, and 

 white ; the legs yellow ; the irides dusky. 



These two species are very delicate, and seem 

 unable to bear the inclemency of the weather on 

 our shores* during winter ; for we observe they 



* Norih TFales. 



