in May and August, and is frequently seen on the Mardick canal near Dunkerque, and a few 

 pairs breed near Calais and Boulogne. In the south of France it is not rare along the Rhone, 

 and is also seen on the Loire. Mr. Lacroix states that it breeds regularly in Aude, Herault, 

 and the Pyrenees Orien tales. Professor Barboza du Bocage speaks of it as being common in 

 Portugal; and Colonel Irby says (Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 210-11) that "it is only a summer visitant 

 around Gibraltar, and, keeping to the sea-coast, is the latest to arrive of all the family. They are 

 nowhere very abundant ; but a few nest near the mouth of the Guadiarro about the end of May, 

 as well as in other localities on the coast." The earliest date on which he noticed one was the 

 10th of May, and the latest the 25th of October. Mr. Saunders also mentions that he observed 

 this species at the mouth of the Ebro. It is found on the coasts of Italy, Sardinia, and Sicily 

 during the summer season, and appears to be tolerably common. 



According to Mr. C. A. Wright it is rare at Malta ; Mr. Medlycott, he adds, shot one a few 

 years ago; and he himself saw two in St. Paul's Bay in August 1855. It appears to be rather 

 rare than otherwise in Southern Germany ; but Messrs. Danford and Harvie-Brown state (Ibis, 

 1875, p. 431) that, though uncommon, it breeds in Transylvania, arriving in May and leaving in 

 August. I never observed it on the Danube ; but it is said to breed commonly on some parts of 

 the coast of Turkey ; and Dr. Kriiper states that it is common in Greece, arriving somewhat late 

 in the spring, and he found it breeding at Missolonghi late in April. Lord Lilford records it 

 from Corfu, where, he says (Ibis, 1860, p. 356), it "occurs sparingly at the period of the vernal 

 migration." In Southern Russia it is stated by Professor von Nordmann to be very numerous ; 

 and according to Dr. Kriiper, it is very common on the coast of Asia Minor, and he found it 

 breeding near Smyrna. Canon Tristram met with it on the small lagoons north of Beyrout ; and 

 it occurs also in North-east Africa. Captain Shelley states that it is a winter visitant to Egypt, 

 and of rare occurrence, as he has only seen one specimen from that country ; but Von Heuglin 

 says that it is found at all seasons in Central and Lower Egypt, and he has received its eggs 

 from the lagoons of the Delta, and an immature bird from Cairo. He believes that it breeds on 

 the coasts of the Red Sea, as he obtained it in June and July between Qoseir and Massowah, 

 where it was not rare. It appears to be wanting, or else very rare, in Nubia; but Mr. J. H. 

 Gurney, jun., writes (Ramb. Nat. p. 233) that he thinks the present species of Tern " should be 

 considered a summer visitor rather than a. winter one. It would seem to be not nearly so rare as 

 has been hitherto supposed. In the first part of May we several times saw small flocks, and 

 obtained specimens. In particular a great many were seen between Bibba and Cairo. At the 

 Faioum also it was rather a common bird, and one was seen carrying some building-materials. 

 When we returned to Alexandria we saw them again there, on the 11th and 17th of June. I 

 was also shown a skin at Damietta by M. Filliponi, who said that they were not rare there." 

 On the west side of the continent it is common ; for Loche states that it is numerous on the 

 coasts of Algeria. 



According to M. Favier ( fide Colonel Irby, I. c.) this Tern " is seen near Tangier, passing in 

 small flights along the coast and on the rivers and lakes. They arrive during May, and return 

 in September, some, however, remaining in the country to breed. They all retire south for the 

 winter." It is found on the west coast of Africa; for Mr. Sharpe states (Ibis, 1872, p. 74) that 

 Mr. Ussher shot one on the Nagua river ; Weiss also procured it on the Gold Coast ; and, as 



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