Order LAEIFOEMES.] 



[Family LAEID^E. 



STERNA ALBISTRIATA. 



(BLACK-FKONTED TEEN.) 



Sterna antarctica, Wagler ; Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. ii., p. 70. 

 Sterna albistriata, Gray, Yoy. Ereb. & Terr., Birds, p. 19, pi. 21 (1844). 



This is one of the most useful of birds to the agriculturist, for it comes in from the sea 

 and preys on the numerous little enemies of the farmer. Indeed, it is a very pretty sight to 

 watch a flock of these swallow-like birds following the plough and gleaning worms, grubs, beetles, 

 and even lizards, from the surface of the newly-turned soil. They are tireless on the wing, and 

 nothing escapes their vigilant eyes. 



STERNA VITTATA. 



(SOUTHEEN TEEN.) 



Sterna vittata (Gmelin), Buller, Trans. N. Z. Inst., vol. xxviii., p. 348. 



At the meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, held on May 31st, 1895, Mr. Eothschild 

 reported that he had received from Mr. Henry Travers a pair of Sterna vittata, Gmelin, shot 

 in the month of February of that year, at the Bounty Islands, by the crew of the 'Hinemoa.' 

 The species had been identified by Mr. Howard Saunders and Dr. Hartert, after comparison with 

 the specimens in the British Museum. I afterwards examined a specimen of this " rare Antarctic 

 bird " in the possession of Mr. Bethune, the Chief Engineer, from the same locality. He assured 

 me that he had met with it also at Campbell Island and at the Snares ; also that its habit was to 

 fly in pairs (like Sterna nereis), and not in flocks. 



Captain Hutton writes that Sterna vittata is " common at Campbell Island, Antipodes, and 

 Bounty Islands." 



There were four specimens in the collection made by the ' Challenger ' Expedition from 

 Betsy Cove and Christmas Harbour in Kerguelen's Land. 



STERNA FRONTALIS. 



(WHITE-FEONTED TEEN.) 



Sterna frontalis, Gray ; Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. ii., p. 68. 



On the Taupo plains, where there are thousands of sterile acres covered with manuka scrub, 

 about five or six miles inland of the lake, I observed two Terns, apparently of this species, 

 hovering over the ground, although I found it difficult to imagine what they could find to attract 



