40 NE8TS AJfD EGGS OF 



or less number; many of the eggs were covered by the drifting sand.* The eggs 

 are described as being narrower, and especially more pointed and rougher, than those 

 of the Caspian Tern. They are yellowish-drab, irregularly blotched with dark umber 

 and lilac of various shades; sizes range from 2.67 to 2.75 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad. 



s 



66. ELEGANT TEBN. Sterna elegans Gamb. Geog. Dist.— Pacific coast of 

 America from California to Chili. 



Dr. Coues describes this tern as a "truly elegant species, resembling the Royal 

 Tern, but easily distinguished." It is a Mexican and Central American species, 

 rarely occurring on the California coast. An egg is described as having a ground- 

 color of pinkish-white, with bold and distinct markings of deep black and burnt 

 sienna and subdued shell-markings of lavender-gray; size 2.20 by 1.45. 



67. CABOT'S TE»N. Sterna saiidvicensis ucufluvida (Cabot.) Geog. Dist.— 

 Tropical America northward along the Atlantic coast, irregularly, to Southern New 



England. 



The beautiful Sandwich Tern has an extensive distribution. In North America 

 it has been observed as far north as Southern New England, and is known by the 

 name of Ducal Tern. Breeds in large colonies, like most of the terns, depositing the 

 eggs in the dry sand. It nests on the small sandy islands off the coast of Cape Sable 

 in the latter part qf June. Breeds commonly on the coasts of Central America, and 

 on some of the larger West India islands. The eggs vary from white to buff, ir- 

 regularly spotted and blotched with brown, umber, bluish and reddish; rather 

 pointed; two or three in number; size about 2.10 by 1.40. 



68. TRXTDEAU'S TEfelT. Sterna trudeaui Aud. Geog. Dist. — Southern 

 South America; casual or accidental on the Atlantic coast of the United States (New 

 Jersey, Long Island). 



This bird has been accidentally found in New Jersey and Long Island. It 

 breeds in southern South America, but I believe its eggs have not yet been described. 



69. FOKSTEB'S TERN. Sterna forsteri Nutt. Geog. Dist. — North America 

 generally, breeding from Manitoba southward to Virginia, Illinois, Texas and Cali- 

 fornia; in winter southward to Brazil. 



Like all the terns, this one is noted for its graceful flight and, with them, it 

 shares the name of Sea Swallow — a name which uelongs more particularly to the 

 next species. Forster's Tern was once thought to breed only in the interior of North 

 America. The above habitat, however, indicates clearly the range throughout which 

 this species is found breeding in all suitable places. It nests on the grassy islands 

 among the lagoons and marshes of Southern Texas, thence northward irregularly to 

 British America. In Manitoba,, on the islands and marshes of the lakes and rivers, 

 it nests abundantly. Here on the islands of Shoal I,ake Mr. Arnold and Mr. Raine 

 found them breeding by thousands. Breeds in colonies, often in company with the 

 Common and Gull-billed Terns, the Laughing and Bonaparte's Gulls. When its 

 nesting places are disturbed it is said to be very noisy, uttering a grating, monot- 

 onous note, and at the same time attacking the intruder on all sides, often darting 

 close to his head. In some localities this species constructs its nest in a turf of dry 

 grass, upon the sand, or among stones. It breeds chiefly in grassy marshes, building 

 its nest of flags, water-plants, lining them with finer reeds. The eggs are two or 

 three in number, with an average size of 1.85x1.35. In color they vary from nearly 



« Bull. Nutt. Club, Vol. V, pp. 221-223. In article on the eggs of "Sterna caspia." 



