664 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNINJS. [June 20, 



Sterna bal^enarum (Strickl.). 



Sternula balanarum, Strickl. Coiitr. Orn. 1852, p. 160; Gurney, 

 Andersson's B. Damar. p. 363 (1872). 



In this species there is no white frontlet, the black feathers coming 

 down to the base of the bill, which is slender and black, except at 

 the gape ; the tail is grey like the mantle ; and the tarsi and feet 

 are the smallest of those of the group. The shafts of the primaries 

 are white. 



Walwich Bay to the Cape of Good Hope is its range, so far as is 

 known. 



Sterna aleutica, Baird. 



Sterna aleutica, Baird, Tr. Chicago Acad. 1869, 321, pi. 31. 

 fig. 1 (Alaska) ; Dall & Bann. ib. p. 307 ; Coues, Key to N.-Am. 

 B. p. 322 (18/2), B. of N.W. Am. p. 696 (1874) ; Gray, Hand-list, 

 iii. p. 118 (1871). 



After a careful examination of Pallas's description of Sterna 

 camtschatica, I fully agree with Dr. E. Coues that Dr. O. Finsch has 

 no sufficient reason for identifying it with this species (Abh. nat. Ver. 

 Bremen, iii. p. 85). It is needless to repeat here the excellent descrip- 

 tions given by the above American authors, the last of whom informs 

 us that since the acquisition of the type three more specimens have 

 been obtained. With its head-markings similar to those of the 

 Sooty Tern {Sterna fuliginosa), from which, again, it differs in having 

 a white rump and tail, it certainly presents a most interesting link 

 in coloration between the Sooty and the typical Terns, groups which 

 I cannot separate generically for want of well-defined structural dif- 

 erences. Indeed Dr. Coues seems inclined to give up Haliplana as a 

 genus ; and as the only distinction appears to be in the coloration, it 

 is not easy to see how it can be retained according to the modern 

 definition of a genus. The type was obtained at Kadiak, Alaska, in 

 June, with the egg ; so that it was in full breeding-plumage ; but of 

 the immature stages we have as yet no description. 



Sterna an^estheta (Scop.). 



Sterna ancethetns (sic), Scop. Del. Faun, et Flor. Ins. i. p. 92. 

 no. 72 (1786), ex Sonn. Voy. p. 125, pi. 84. 



Ste?ma panayensis, Gm. S. N. ii. p. 607(1788). 



Sterna oahuensis, Bloxham, Voy. 'Blonde,' p. 251 (1826). 



Haliplana panayensis, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1224 ; Salvin, Ibis, 

 1864, p. 381, 1866, p. 199 ; Bias. J. f. Orn. 1866, p. 80. 



"Sterna antarctica, Cuv.," Lesson, T. d'Orn. p. 621 (1831); 

 Pucheran, Bev. Zool. 1850, p. 541. (Admitted to be S. panayensis.) 



Onychoprion panaya, Gould, B. Austr. vii. pi. 33 (1848). 



Sterna infuscata, Heugl. Ibis, 1859, p. 351 ; id. F. Roth. Meeres, 

 p. 32. 



Sterna panaya, Heugl. F. Roth. Meeres, p. 31 ; Finsch & Hartl. 

 VSg. Ost-Afr. p. 833 (1870). 



Onychoprion panayensis, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 572. 

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