LARID^. 359 



Lanis phcBocephalus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afv., App. p. 425. 



_ „ „ Finsch & Hai-tlaub's Vbgel Ost-Afrika's, p. 825. 



Cirrhocephahis poiocephalm, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 10996. 



This species is found both on the sea-coast and on the 

 inland watersheds. It is rather a scarce species at 

 Walwich Bay, but more common at Lake Ngami. It 

 generally occurs singly. 



414. Sterna caspia. Caspian Tem. 



Sterna ca^ia, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 414. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 684. 



„ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 425. 



This splendid and powerful Tern is not uncommon at 

 Walwich Bay, and on the south-west coast of Africa 

 generally. 



When on the wing it usually pursues a steady flight, 

 and at a distance bears considerable resemblance to a 

 Gull. It utters at intervals, especially when fishing, ex- 

 ceedingly harsh and discordant notes ; and when about 

 to do so it arrests its course, and, rising suddenly at an 

 angle of about 45° to its line of flight, gives vent to its 

 cries, which are repeated two or three times, and in 

 uttering which it greatly depresses its lower mandible 

 whenever it opens its bill for this purpose. 



So far as I have seen, it lives entirely on fish. 



Where not previously disturbed it is not particularly 

 shy or difiicult to approach ; but when once it knows a 

 gun it becomes exceedingly cunning. 



At Walwich Bay several pairs of these Terns were in 

 the habit of returning at dusk from their fishing-excur- 



