646 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNIN^E. [June 20, 



ficial resemblance in the dark coloration of the lower parts to H. 

 hybrida, this species has been placed by Bonaparte and others in 

 the genus Hydrochelidon ; but its long, straight bill, and long, 

 pointed tail show that its position is rather with the true Sternce. 

 It is an abundant species on most of the Indian rivers, in Ceylon, 

 Burma, &c. ; and in its manner of nesting on sandbanks, and in the 

 character of its eggs, of which I have specimens before me, it differs 

 from the Marsh-Terns. 



As this species is constantly cited as " Sterna javanica, Horsfield," 

 I may be excused for repeating that I have examined Horsfield's 

 type specimen of " Sterna javanica" in the Indian Museum, and 

 that it is undoubtedly Hydrochelidon hybrida (Pallas). As a 

 straggler S. melanogastra has occurred during a tempest at the Island 

 of Reunion. 



Sterna Antarctica, Wagler. 



Sterna antarctica, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1223 (ex J. R. Forster, 

 MS.); J. R. Forster, Desc. Anim. p. 107 (ed. 1844); Buller, 

 B. New Zealand, p. 283 (1873). 



Hydrochelidon albostriata, G. R. Grav, Voy. Erebus & Terror, 

 Birds, p. 19, pi. 21 (1844). 



Sternula antarctica, Bonap. C. R. xlii. p. 773 (1856). 



Hydrochelidon albistriata, Bonap. C. R. xlii. p. 773 (1856). 



Sterna cinerea, Ellman, Zoologist, 1861, p. 7473. 



Hydrochelidon hybrida, Finsch, J. f. O. 1867, p. 347. 



Pelodes albistriata, Gray, Hand-list, hi. p. 122 (1871). 



This species, of a nearly uniform smoke-grey colour, appears to 

 be confined to New Zealand, and principally to the South Island, 

 where it deposits its eggs on the bare ground, making no nest, and 

 having in general the habits of a coast- or estuary-frequenting Tern. 

 The foot is moderately stout, and the webs are but slightly scalloped ; 

 the upper mandible, which is slightly curved towards the tip, is 

 quite different from that of Hydrochelidon, in which genus there 

 seems to be no good reason for placing it. It is closely allied to the 

 next species — a somewhat specialized form, found only, up to the 

 present time, at Kerguelen Island. 



Sterna virgata, Cab. 



Sterna virgata, Cabanis, J. f. Orn. 1875, p. 449. 



"Sterna vittata, Gm.," Coues, in Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. p. 17, 

 1875 (nee Gm. nee Von Pelzeln). 



There are three specimens of this Tern in the British Museum, 

 all from Kerguelen Island : two are in immature plumage ; and one 

 is a fine adult. The bill is rich blood-red, and the feet are red, 

 whereas in S. antarctica those parts are yellow, or, at most, orange ; 

 the bill, also, in the Kerguelen bird is much straighter than in the 

 New-Zealand form ; and the tail is more deeply forked. It is, in 

 fact, a more thoroughly Sea-Tern than its predecessor; in its nesting 

 it is also peculiar, the single egg being deposited upon somewhat 

 high and broken ground and on the slope of the hill-side {Kidder). 

 [10] 



