TERNS 



(69) Sterna forsteri Null. 



(To John R. Forster). 



FORSTER'S TERN. No crest 

 on this or any of the following species 

 of terns. Under parts pure white. 

 Ad. in summer — Plumage as shoivn. 

 Bill and feet orange-red, the former 

 with a black tip. Outer web of 

 outer primary silvery-gray like the 

 rest; none of the inner webs of outer 

 primaries with decided white areas 

 as in the two following species. In 

 winter the crown is largely white, 

 but there is a blackish patch embrac- 

 ing each eye. L., 15.00; W., 10.00; 

 T., 5.00-S.oo, forked 3.00-5.00; B., 

 1.60. 



Range — Breeds on lakes from Sask. 

 south to Neb., 111. and Ont. and on 

 coasts of Tex., La. and Va. Wanders 

 to Mass. rarely. 



sometimes confusing in their winter and immature plu- 

 mages, they are all quite easily identified when in their sum- 

 mer dress. A black-tipped orange bill, pure white under 

 parts and very deeply forked tail, the outer feather of which 

 is dusky on the inner web, signifies a Forster's Tern. A 

 black- tipped red bill, grayish breast and forked tail, the 

 outer feather of which is dusky on the outer web, designates 

 the Common Tern. If the bill is wholly red and the 

 tail deeply forked, it is the Arctic Tern. A black bill with 

 reddish base, pure white or pink-tinted under parts and a 

 very deeply forked, pure white tail tj^pify a Roseate Tern. 

 The nesting habits of these birds are practically the same 

 with the possible exception of Forster's Tern, wliich often 

 nests in marshy places in company with Laughing Gulls 

 in the south and Black Terns and Franklin's Gulls in the 

 interior. On the south shore of Massachusetts, Common and 

 Roseate Terns may be found nesting on the same islands, and 

 on islands off the Maine coast I have found Common, Arctic 

 and Roseate Terns breeding together. 



SO 



