636 WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. 
Abyssinia ; while in winter it is found in flocks on the marshes and 
“vleys” of Africa down to the Transvaal and Damara-land. During 
summer it inhabits Asia, from the Caspian to the Amur, Mongolia 
and Northern China ; and it has occurred in Ceylon, though rare on 
the mainland of India. In winter it passes down Eastern Asia and 
islands to North Australia ; while two examples in full nuptial dress 
were shot in the province of Nelson, New Zealand, on December 
12th 1868. In North America an adult was obtained on Lake 
Koskonong, Wisconsin, on July 5th 1873 ; and Col. Feilden shot a 
young bird in Barbados on October 24th 1888. 
This gregarious species nests in marshes, and may sometimes be 
found in company with the Black Tern, for instance in Central 
Europe, where, however, the latter predominates; but in Southern 
Russia large and distinct colonies are formed. The eggs, deposited 
on floating vegetation in May or June, are 3 in number, and resemble 
those of the Black Tern: measurements 1°35 by 1 in. The flight 
of this Tern is more rapid and its cry is harsher than that of the 
preceding species ; the food consists of dragon-flies and other aquatic 
insects. 
‘The adult in summer has the head, neck and back glossy black, 
in strong contrast to the white on the carpal joint of the wing ; 
greater wing-coverts pearl-grey, and secondaries lead-grey ; primaries 
frosted with pearl-grey, which soon wears off, leaving the outer webs 
sooty-black ; upper tail-coverts and tail pure white, the latter very 
slightly forked; under-parts black, with a brownish tinge on the 
belly ; vent white ; under wing-coverts and axillaries black : bill livid 
red ; legs and feet orange-red, and webs very much indented. 
Length 9°3 in. (bill 11), wing 8-2 in. After the autumn moult 
the head, neck, and under-parts (inclusive of the wing-coverts) are 
white, and the mantle and tail are grey. The young bird—which 
resembles the adult in winter-plumage, though at first mottled with 
brown on the upper parts—may be distinguished from immature 
ZZ. nigra by its shorter bill, longer toes with more deeply incised 
webs, paler rump and tail, and more defined wedge of white on the 
inner webs of each primary. The feathers on the carpal joint and 
of the tail do not become pure white until the third year. 
The late G. R. Gray erroneously identified this species with the 
Sterna nigra which Linneus described as “ found on the small reedy 
islands about Upsala,” and which was, of course, the Black Tern. 
Being considered an authority on nomenclature, especially by 
foreigners, his unfortunate precedent has been only too widely 
followed, and has occasioned much confusion. 
