BLACK TERN. 
99 
NATATOEES. 
STERNID^T.. 
PLATE CCXCV. 
BLACK TERN. 
STERNA NIGRA. 
The Black Tern is a periodical visitant in Great Britain, 
where it arrives in April or the beginning of May, and for 
its locality it appears to prefer inland lakes, ponds, rivers, and 
swamps, to the wider expanse of the ocean. 
The geographical distribution of this species extends over 
many parts of the earth. In Europe it is found in every 
country in places suitable to its habits; not however further 
northward than central Sweden. In Asia it is everywhere 
known ; and in some parts, such as the temperate parts of 
Siberia and Tartary, very numerous. In America it ranges 
from Hudson’s Bay to the Brazils ; and in the northern parts 
of Africa it occurs also. In Holland, Denmark, and Hun¬ 
gary, the Black Tern is very common. The locality mostly 
chosen by this species is low and flat ground, intersected with 
water, either in an extensive expanse, or in the form of fens, 
pools, wet bogs, or morasses ; consequently this bird is rarely 
found in hilly or mountainous countries. 
VOL. VII. 
K 
