280 



Note. Dr. Elliott Coues, in his " Review of the Terns of North America" (Proc. Phil. Acad. /. c), makes the 

 following remarks on the synonymy of this species : — " The proper specific appellation of the Caspian 

 Tern is not 'caspia, Pallas/ but ' ' tschegrava, Lepechin/ which latter name is proposed in the same work 

 in which Pallas calls the bird ' caspia,' but has priority by several pages. As, however, the word is not 

 only barbarous, but exceedingly cacophonous, and especially as caspia has become so well established by 

 common consent, I do not think it would be expedient to supersede Pallas's name in view of the very 

 slight priority of that of Lepechin." 



The history of this fine Tern has already been so fully written that I deem it sufficient to record 

 here that it occurs all round the New-Zealand coasts, where its habits are the same as in other 

 parts of the globe. It is usually met with in pairs ; but I have occasionally observed parties of 

 five or more resting on the sands near the mouths of our tidal rivers. It subsists entirely on 

 small fish, for which it plunges into the water with considerable force ; and at certain seasons it 

 is accustomed to follow the shoals of sprats far up the river-courses, where it may be seen hover- 

 ing lightly over the water in pursuit of its finny prey, and occasionally alighting to rest on a 

 jutting stump or projecting point of rock. I have observed that, on the wing, this species does 

 not move its head to and fro in the manner of the smaller Terns, but carries it vertically, with its 

 powerful beak pointing downwards. When resting on the ground the apparently disproportionate 

 head gives the bird an ungainly appearance; but this disappears the moment the wings are 

 expanded ; and the flight, which is generally performed in wide circles, may be described as very 

 easy and graceful. Its ordinary cry is harsh and unmusical, consisting of a loud rasping note ; at 

 other times it utters a long peevish squeal or whistling cry. 



The breeding-season of this species extends from November to January. The eggs, 

 usually two in number, are deposited on the bare sand, a slight hollow in the surface meeting 

 the requirements of a nesting-place. They are ovoido-conical in form, measuring 2- 7 inches in 

 length by 1*9 in breadth, and varying from creamy white to a delicate greenish white tint, the 

 whole surface marked with spots and blotches of dark brown, intermixed with pale splashes of 

 purple, these markings being most numerous at the thicker end. It should be mentioned, 

 however, that, as in the case of other Terns, the eggs present some variety both as to size and 

 colour ; there is a specimen in the Canterbury Museum (of a pale yellowish brown tint, thickly 

 marked and spotted with dark brown) which measures only 2-4 inches by 1*6. 



