NATATORES. 



389 



3. Genus GYGIS, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1223. 

 1. Gtgis alba {Sparrman). — The White Tern. 



Sterna alba, SPARRM. Mus. Carls. No. XI (not paged, 1786). 

 Sterna Candida, GM. Syst. Nat. I, p. 607 (1788). 

 Sterna Candida, FoRST. Desc. An. p. 179 (18-44). 



Sparrm. Mus. Carls. I, Plate XI ; Gould, B. of Aust. VII, Plate 

 XXX. 



Numerous specimens of this species are in the collection, and it is 

 frequently alluded to as having been noticed at various localities by 

 the naturalists. 



Mr. Peale states : 



" This singularly beautiful Tern was observed on all the Coral 

 Islands, in the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean ; more rarely on 

 the high islands. It alights on trees, in deep shady forests, and 

 follows pertinaciously all human intruders on these solitudes, uttering 

 a rather melodious note (for a Tern). Its snowy-white plumage con- 

 trasts beautifully with the dark green foliage, a large, dark-brown eye 

 adding much to its beauty. 



" The base of the bill is of a beautiful smalt-blue color, changing to 

 violet ; the tip is black ; feet pale blue, having a deeply indented yel- 

 low membrane; the whole leg is unusually small and delicate. A few 

 of our specimens have a pale rose tint. 



" From the singular mode of incubation, it was some time before we 

 could discover the eggs, but having once made the discovery, we had 

 frequent opportunities of verifying the observation. This bird lays 

 one egg on the branch of a tree, a knot, or slight cavity, barely suffi- 

 cient to keep it from rolling off, being its only protection. Both parents 

 display great affection for their young, bringing small fishes, which 

 they take at sea by plunging, like their congeners, to feed them. We 

 sometimes suspected them, from their actions, of catching spiders and 

 other insects, but have not been able, by dissection, to detect the 

 remains of such in their stomachs. 



" The egg is large for the bird, being one and six-tenths inches 

 long, and one and two-tenths inches in diameter ; the ends nearly 

 alike in form ; color brownish-white, sprinkled with threadlike spots 

 and patches of burnt umber, some very pale, as though seen through 



98 



