Indian Birds 
lows they are birds of powerful flight, and 
remain for long periods on the wing. But they 
are not confined to the sea. In India, wher- 
ever there are rivers, jhils, or ponds there are 
terns to be found. 
Their prevailing colour is white, and most 
of them have some black in their plumage. 
To repeat what I said in Bombay Ducks: 
“No one can fail to recognise a tern. If you 
see a slenderly-built bird of whitish tinge, 
with long swallow-like wings and forked tail, a 
bird which sails along easily over water, some- 
times diving for a fish, more frequently picking 
something off the surface of the water, you 
may set that bird down asa tern.” (Illus. B. D., 
Pp: 270.) 
200. Hydrochelidon hybrida: The Whis- 
kered Tern, or the Small Marsh Tern. (F. 
1496), (J. 984), (+11) 
Winter plumage: A white bird with grey 
back, wings, and tail. Some black on the nape 
of the neck and a black streak behind the eye. 
Bill, legs, and toes dull red. 
Summer plumage: ‘The whole of the upper 
part of the head is black. 
Very common in N. India. An inland bird 
found on marshes, rivers, tanks, and paddy fields. 
212 
