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STEENA LUNATA. 



Sterna lunata, Peale, U.S. Expl. Exped. p. 277 (1848) ; Cassin, U.S. Expl. Exped. p. 382 (1858) ; 



G. R. Gray, Cat. B. Trop. Is. p. 59 (1859) ; Stejneger, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xii. p. 379 



(1889) ; Saunders, Cat. B. Br. Mus. xxv. p. 100 (1896). 

 Onychoprion lunatus, Wiglesworth, Aves Polyn. p. 76 (1891). 

 Haliplana lunata, Rothschild, Avif. Laysan, p. 37, pi. (1893). 



It is quite possible that this Pacific species passed through the hands of Mr. Dole 

 before 1879, though he does not include it in either of his lists ; but, if so, he did not 

 distinguish it from the much more widely spread S. fuliginosa. In 1887 I obtained 

 specimens when in the Sandwich Islands, and in 1889 Dr. Stejneger received others 

 from Kauai (sent by Mr. Knudsen). Palmer afterwards met with the bird in the 

 Laysan group in abundance. 



This bird is smaller than S. fuliginosa, and has the mantle dark grey, the nearly 

 allied S. ancestheta having it brownish slate-coloured. 



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