STE I! N A G R ATILIS (Gould). 



GRACEFUL TERN. Genus: Sterna. 



IT fa 1 1 1 \>< regi'etted thai bo little is known regarding this fairy-like and beautiful Torn, and 

 although Gilbert states thai saw vast Bocks on the Houtman's Abrolhos, he arrived there too 

 l it, 1 1 > -.rui'' any eggs, the breeding season being over, and could learn but little of its habits from 

 the people who visited the Abrolhos. 



Tin' species is gregarious at all seasons of the year, and about the low sandy islands of the 

 Abrolhos shoals and the the islands of the Dampier and Buccaneer Archipelagos — all of which are 

 situated in the warm seas of tin West Australian (.-oast — large flocks of these graceful sea rangers are 

 seen continually passing to and fro, especially in the early morning and towards the close of the day; 

 during the heal of the day. and after the birds have finished the morning's fishing about the coral 

 r< efs .oid sandbanks, they retire to the shore and seek the shelter of the stunted herbage. 



Two eggs are laid by this species, and those found on the Abrolhos were deposited in a 

 , ireless manner on the ground among the loose debris of coral and seaweed lying above high water 

 mark. 



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

 tail, silvery grey ; sides of the neck and all the under surface, white, with a faint tinge of rose-colour on 

 the breasi and abdomen: bill, red: feet, orange-red ; claws, black. 



Habitat : The coast of Western Australia, from Cape Leeuwin to the Buccaneer Archipelago, 

 and the islands of the northern coast. 



