Habitats: The interior rivers, lagoons and marshes of the Australian continent generally; about 

 the Swan River and Cambridge Gulf, in Western Australia, it has hern observed in small Hocks, but made 

 do lengthened stay. 



GENUS GYGIS (Waglcr). 



OY the single species of tliis genus of Tern found in Australia, or of its allies, but little is known. 

 Tin- various groups of the South Sea Islands, the Indian Ocean, and northern Australian 

 leas generally are its habitats. 



GYGIS CANDIDA. 



WHITE TERN. Genus: Gygis. 



r 1 1 1 1 I S undoubtedly the mosi beautiful of all the Terns, and although met with all along the northern 

 1 half of the eastern seaboard of Australia, the favourite haunts of the species are those low-lying 

 palm clad islands of Polynesia known as the Paumotu Archipelago, situated to the eastward of the 

 Society [stands. ( >n Elizabeth and Oeno Islands, lonely little spots in the archipelago alluded to, and not 

 fir from the famous Pitcairn Island of the "Bounty" mutineers, there are two nurseries of these birds. 



Like its very antithesis in colour, the Sooty Tern, this bird seems satisfied with the merest 

 apology for a nest, but, unlike 0. Fuliginosa, it never incubates on the ground, always choosing a depression 

 in the peculiar horizontal branches of a species of Pandanus which is very plentiful on the two islands 

 before mentioned ; and although the strong trade winds cause a constant oscillation of the branches, the 

 • gg almosl invariably retains its position, as very few were observed lying on the ground by Mr. Cuming, who 

 visited these places some years ago, hut he noticed that many of the young birds fell down and died of 

 hunger. 



By the natives of the Paumotu Archipelago tin: plumage of these snow-white birds is greatly 

 estimated for purpo — of adornment, and the breeding grounds in some of the islands of the group are annually 

 visited l>\ parties of' natives, who devote several days to feasting on the earffS, which, as the Terns 

 congregate at such localities in thousands, are very plentiful. 



In -peaking of a visit to Keeling Island, in the South Pacific, Darwin observed this beautiful 

 "era, and stated that it would approach within an arm's length of his head, its large black eye scanning 

 him with an expression of quiet curiosity, and that little imagination was required to fancy that so light 

 and delicate a body was tenanted by some wandering fairy spirit 



There is no outward difference observable in the sexes. 



Che entile under-plnmage is snow-white; wings and back a very light grey; hill, dark blue at 

 the hase. deepening into black at the tip; feet, orange. 



The length of the adult bird is 13 inches, with a breadth of 20 inches from wing to wing. 



Habitats : The northern part of the eastern coast of Australia and the numerous atoll islands of 

 Polynesia. 



