159 



them in such a barren locality. Probably they were in quest of lizards. This species frequents 

 the Taupo Lake, and so does Sterna albistriata. 



I found this Tern abundant at Tonga. I saw no Sterna caspia there, but they are plentiful 

 at Wakaya, in the Fiji group. 



Order LAEIFOEMES.] 



[Family LAEIDiE. 



STERNA BETHUNEI. 



(BETHUNE'S TEEN.) 



Sterna bethunei, Buller, Trans. N.Z. Institute, vol. xxviii., p. 349. 



A largee form was discovered by Mr. Bethune, of the ' Hinemoa,' at the Auckland Islands, 

 specimens of which I exhibited to the Wellington Philosophical Society, in 1895, and which I then 

 named provisionally Sterna bethunei. 



It is similar in plumage to Sterna frontalis, but is appreciably larger, with a longer and more 

 robust bill. Like the last-named species, it is gregarious, hunting in flocks, whereas Sterna vittata 

 flies in pairs. The specimen examined by me , gave the following measurements : — Extreme 

 length, 17'75 in. ; extent of wings, 28*5 in. ; wing from flexure, 11 in. ; tail, 7 in. ; bill, along the 

 ridge 2 in., along the edge of lower mandible 2'5 in. ; tarsus, 1 in. ; middle toe and claw, 1"25 in. 



I should have been glad to receive further specimens before characterising it as a new 

 species ; but, as I consider it distinct, it may be thus diagnosed : 



Ad. ptil. cBstiv. similis S. frontali sed paullo major : rostro et pedibus valde majoribus. 



STERNA EULIGINOSA. 



(SOOTY TEEN.) 



Sterna fuliginosa (Gmelin), Buller, Trans. N. Z. Inst., vol. xxvii., p. 117. 



I have received a fine series of specimens from the Kermadec Islands. I can distinguish 

 no difference in the plumage of the sexes ; although, as a rule, the male is a finer and somewhat 

 larger bird than the female. 



I find the following note in my diary : — 



When we were about eighty miles from the Phoenix group, towards evening, a flock of Terns appeared, to 

 the number of eight or more, aud kept about the ship for some time. They did not approach very near, but, 

 so far as I could make out, they belonged to the above species (called by the sailors 'Wideawake Gulls'). 

 Their flight was rapid and fitful, and they kept up incessantly the peculiar Tern-cry of ' kek-kek-kek.' I was 

 informed by the Captain that they appeared again on the following morning when we were consider- 

 ably more than a hundred miles from land. It would seem that this Tern is more pelagic in its habits 

 than the other species. Mr. Cheeseman reports that the species breeds in countless numbers at the 

 Kermadecs, but disappears entirely in the winter. The Phoenix group of islands is about half-way between 

 Fiji and Honolulu in the direct line of the Canadian-Australian course. We passed through them during the 

 night, but we saw nothing of the Terns till towards evening of the following day. 



