318 BULLETIN llcf, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



merous shallow bays, estuaries, and creeks on the coasts of Florida 

 and the Gulf States. They are never seen far out at sea and are 

 seldom driven inland., 



DISTRIBUTION. . : 



'Breeding range^^On the Atlantic coast from Virginia (Northamp- 

 ton County) to northeastern Florida (Nassau and Dowal Counties). 

 On the Gulf cbast from the Florida Keys to Louisiana and southern 

 Texas (Cameron County). Formerly north to New Jersey and still 

 earlier to Massachusetts... Present in summer and probably breeding 

 on the coasts of Venezuela ( Margarita). : and Yucatan (Brogreso); i 



Breeding grounds protected in the following national reservations: 

 In Alabama, Petit Bbis Island; in Louisiana, Breton Island and 

 Tern Islands. 



Winter range. — From northern Florida (mouth of St. Johns 

 River) and from the coast of Louisiana: southward, all around the 

 Gulf of Mexico, and along the northern and eastern coasts' of South 

 America. •'-■■'■ 



Spring migration. — Arrives in South Carolina about the middle 

 of April and in Virginia about the last of April, or first week of 

 May/ :: -; ' "'" ' - : ' ■ "'-"'' lT 



Fall migration. — Leaves Virginia about September 10 and South 

 Carolina by November 15 at the latest. 



Casual records. — Has wandered as far north and east as the Bay 

 6f Fundy (Grand Manah, August; '1879). Accidental inland :: New 

 York (Whitesboro^ October, 1893) ; South Carolina (Chester, Sep- 

 tember 10, 1882) ; and Tennessee (Obion County). One record for 

 Bermuda (October, 1876). 



Egg dates. — Virginia: Thirty-two records, June 2 to July 20; six- 

 teen records, June 18 to 26. South Carolina: Twenty records, May 

 15 to July 16; ten records, June 23 to July 4. Texas: Twenty 

 records, May 10 to July 4; ten records, June 1 to 15. 



