PLATE XL. 



GENUS ONYCHOPRION {Wagler). 



TI^WO species of this form are met with in the Australian seas ; and the first described is also found 

 J- both in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 



ONYCHOPRION FULIGINOSA. 



SOOTY TERN. Genus: Onychoprion. 



ON the western, northern and eastern coasts of Australia this species is met with in great numbers' 

 but on the southern coast it is more sparsely distributed. 



The most marked and distinguishing feature of this bird from its congeners is its sombreness of 

 plumage about the upper surface, rendered the more conspicuous by the white markings of the under 

 surface. 



In the manner of procuring food and general habits a great similarity exists between this Tern 

 and A. Melanops and A. Stolidus ; during the breeding season it associates with the utmost harmony 

 with those species, the whole three combining their forces in forming vast nurseries, the most noted of 

 which are those on the Houtman's Abrolhos, Raine's Islet and Bramble Key. By the seamen of the 

 earlier voyages in Australian seas these nurseries were called " Wide-awake Fairs." 



The egg is two inches and an eighth long by one inch and a half in breadth, and is of a rich 

 creamy-white, with blotchy markings of dark purplish-brown, which, however, sometimes vary considerably 

 in shades of colour. One egg only is deposited on the sand, a slight depression in which is the only 

 preparation made for a nest. Being very palatable, the eggs are much sought after by seamen, and 

 during the sojourn of Mr. Macgillivray's party among the islands of Torres Straits over fifteen hundred 

 dozen were procured by the blue-jackets during the month of July, forming a very acceptable change 

 from the usual ship's fare. 



The disturbance created in the water by a shoal of porpoises in pursuit of small fishes at once 

 attracts great numbers of this Tern, and as the sudden dashes and plunges of the porpoises cause the 

 small fry to leap out of the water in all directions, they are swooped upon and secured by the birds ere 

 they fall back again into their native element. 



The breeding season commences about the end of May, and by the end of June most of the 

 young birds are able to fly and provide for their wants, many of them being very strong on the wing. 

 At this period of their life they are excellent eating, and occasionally during the passage of a ship of 

 M ar through Torres Straits the breeding grounds are visited by the sailors and great numbers of the 

 young birds and eggs taken away. 



Crown of the head and back of the neck, a rich glossy black ; all the upper surface, wings and 

 tail, deep black ; the apical half, the shaft, and the outer web of the lateral tail feathers, white ; on the 

 forehead a white V shaped mark ; all the under surface of the wings and body, white, changing into grey 

 towards the lower part of the abdomen ; bill, black ; feet, brownish-black. 



Habitats : The ranges of habitats of A. Melanops and A. Stolidus also apply to this species. 



