Indian Birds 
(F. 1503), (J. 985), (+III, with a long, deeply 
forked tail.) 
This is the common tern of N. India, and 
frequents all the large rivers. 
Its head and nape are deep black. The upper 
plumage French grey. Lower plumage very 
pale grey. Chin white, and a white patch on 
each cheek. Bill bright deep yellow. Legs red. 
This bird moults about Christmas time, and 
for a few weeks after the moult there is much 
white in the head, but this soon disappears. 
204. Sterna melanogaster: ‘The Black-bellied 
Tern. (F. 1504), (J. 987), (-III, but with a 
long, deeply forked tail.) 
Head black (with some white after the 
moult at Christmas), abdomen black. Cheek, 
chin, throat, and wing lining white. Rest of 
plumage grey, paler on the tail than on the 
back. Bill orange-yellow; legs and feet dull red. 
One of the commonest of the terns, especially 
inland. 
205. Sterna minuta: The Little Tern. 
(F. 1510), (J. 988), (- IT.) 
A tern not much bigger than a sparrow, 
with a white forehead and black head, white 
cheeks and lower parts, grey wings, dark red 
bill and legs, is probably this species. 
214 
