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autumn, and winter. Malherbe writes concerning its occurrence in Sicily : — " Common during 

 migration in May ; but still it appears rare near Messina." Dr. Giglioli, in his paper on the birds 

 of Pisa, remarks that it was not very plentiful near there. In the Ionian Islands, as stated by 

 Lord Lilford, it is rare, but occurs occasionally in spring at Corfu, and on the coasts of the 

 mainland. Lindermayer writes : — " Arrives the earliest of the Terns in the spring, and breeds 

 in Greece. Appears to leave in September, only a few remaining later." Mr. W. H. Hudleston 

 found it plentiful near Mesolonghi during the latter half of May. 



Mr. Eobson, of Ortakeuy, very kindly sends us the following note : — " This species is pretty 

 common in Turkey in Europe and Asia Minor. Flocks arrive about the latter end of April, and 

 continue for a short period in the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmora, and the Black Sea. They are 

 often at this period seen in quantities, flying and fishing for miles up and down these waters, in 

 company with the Porpoises, who frighten the small fish upwards near to the surface of the 

 water; these then become an easy prey to many species of Terns, which dart from overhead 

 into the water after them. Numbers of these birds are also seen up the Khathane (' Sweet 

 waters of Europe ') at this season. I never see them in the summer ; but I have no doubt they 

 breed on the shores of the Sea of Marmora and the Black Sea. They return very early in the 

 autumn migration, a few staying over the winter." From Erzeroom the present species was sent 

 by Messrs. Dickson and Ross, who write as follows : — " Procured May 24th. Found in the 

 stomach fish. Iris hazel. Frequents the river ; common. Breeds on the slips of land that are 

 laid bare by the diminishing of the waters of the river ; it makes no nest, but lays its eggs on the 

 ground." De Filippi says that, during his journey in Persia, he met with it at Mian ah and Enzeli. 

 Von Nordmann states that it is " very common throughout the Euxine region, both on the sea- 

 shore and near the fresh water." Menetries found it during his journey to the Caucasus plentiful 

 at Saliane, at the sturgeon-fisheries. Lehmann procured it on the Caspian sea, on the 10th of May, 

 and observed it on the Emba. ,None of the Siberian travellers record this species as occurring 

 there; but Dr. L. Taczanowski mentions a specimen having been killed on the river Onon, 

 where it is said to breed. Dr. Jerdon gives the accompanying note on the present species : — 

 " The Common Tern of Europe appears to be rare in Southern and Central India, but, according 

 to Adams, is common on the Indus, and the rivers of the Punjab, and also on the lakes of Cashmere. 

 It does not breed, as far as is known, in India. I procured it, on one occasion only, on the lake 

 of Ootacamund, in the Neilgherries." Major Irby says that it was occasionally seen in Oudh and 

 Kumaon ; and more recently Dr. Stoliczka has procured it on the Indus, near Puga. A specimen 

 is in the Calcutta Museum from Ceylon, as stated in Blyth's Catalogue. Pere David records it 

 from Peking and Mongolia; and Mr. Swinhoe gives the following note on its habitat in the 

 Chinese empire : — " Central China ; never yet observed on the coast. I have a specimen from 

 Hankow." 



In Africa we find it procured by Riippell on the Red Sea, in breeding-plumage ; and Von 

 Heuglin states that it is found in pairs on the north coast of Egypt, in winter and spring. 

 Mr. Jesse lately shot one at Zoulla during the Abyssinian expedition ; and it has been recorded by 

 Dr. Finsch, in his paper on the collection, as Sterna macroptera, Blasius. This we have already 

 stated to be, in our opinion, only the Common Tern in winter plumage, having observed several 

 specimens from different parts of Africa. 



