STERNA HIRUNDO. 



COMMON TERN. 



Generic Character. See Sterna Boifii. 



Synonyms. 



Sterna Hirundo. Lm. Syji, i. p, 227. 2. Ind. Orn, 

 2,;). 807. 15. 



Common Tern. Br. ZooL 2, 2^4., tak go, 3. foL 

 144. jfi2^. L* Laih, Syn. 6, ^61* 

 14. MonL Orn. Di^. Vol 2. Be- 

 wick's Br. Birdsy PL 2.. p, 181. 



^iL H I S fpecies is fourteen inches in length, and twenty- 

 nine in breadth ; it weighs about four ounces. Bill two inches 

 and a half long, very fharp pointed ; irides reddifh ; tail 

 much forked ; legs and claws flender. Colour of the fexes 

 alike. 



The Common is the moft abundant of the Tern family ; 

 in the fpring it is frequently met with at a great diftance from 

 the fea ; nearly two dozen of them were feen for fome days 

 early in the year 1812, Ikimming over a refervoir of the 

 Grand Surrey Canal, above Sydenham ; about the fame time 

 we heard of them from feveral other inland parts. 



It 



