WATER BIRDS. 49 
Club, Vol. IV, 1903, p. 94). Dr. Gibbs informs us that W. H. Collins 
of Detroit in a letter which he has, says ‘Two specimens taken on Detroit 
River, fall of 1876, and now in collection of Dr. Jasper, Columbus, Ohio. 
One taken in October, 1883, in dark plumage.”’ 
We have recently (Nov. 2, 1905) examined a nice specimen of this species 
in the Barron collection at Niles. It is an immature bird in a plumage 
intermediate between the light and dark phase and the middle tail-feathers 
but an inch longer than the rest. Although without any label it was 
probably taken in that vicinity. 
In habits this bird does not differ much from the preceding, but is 
decidedly more common on the Atlantic coast, and is probably more a bird 
of the coast than of the open sea. It nests far north of our limits, laying 
eggs similar to those of the Pomarine Jaeger and averaging 2.30 by 1.64 
inches. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult: Most of the head, neck and under parts white or yellowish white, the top of 
head and the lores brown; the rest of the upper parts dark slate. Occasionally an adult 
is found which is brownish black or very dark slate all over. Young birds (full grown) 
are mostly brownish, variously streaked and barred with whitish or buff, the streaking 
most noticeable on head and neck, the barring on back, breast and belly. 
Length, 15.50 to 21 inches; wing, 11.80 to 13.50; longest tail-feathers 4.90 to 6.25; culmen, 
1.15 to 1.40. 
Family 5. LARIDAS.—Gulls and Terns. 
KEY TO SPECIES. 
A. Outer tail-feathers longest (tail more or less forked).—C, CC, CCC. 
C. Large; wing more than 13 inches.—D, DD. 
D. Largest; bill thick; tail forked less than two inches, hind head not 
crested.—Caspian Tern. No. 19. 
DD. Smaller; bill more slender; tail forked 3 inches or more; hind 
head crested.—Royal Tern. No. 20. 
CC. Medium; wing 9 to 12 inches.—E, EE. 
E. Outer tail-feathers much narrowed at tip.—F, FF, FFF. 
F. Outer web of outer tail-feather darker than inner web.—G, GG. 
G. Bill red with black tip (in summer).—Common Tern. No. 
22. 
GG. Bill all red (in summer).—Arctic Tern. No. 28. 
FF. Inner web of outer tail-feather darker than outer web; bill 
red, black-tipped.—Forster’s Tern. No. 21. 
FFF. Both webs of outer tail-feather white; breast white or 
rose-tinted.—Roseate Tern. (Appendix.) 
EE. Outer tail-feathers not narrowed at tip.—Sabine’s Gull. No. 
18. 
CCC. Small; wing less than 9 inches.—H, HH. 
H. Back and upper surface of wings and tail slate-color or dark gray; 
bill black.—Black Tern. No. 25. ; 
HH. Back and upper surface of wings pale pearl-gray; bill yellow, 
black-tipped.—Least Tern. No. 24. 
7 
