THE BLACK-NAPED TERN. 
429 
767. STERNA MELANAUCHEN. 
THE BLACK-NAPED TERN. 
Sterna melanauchen, Temm. PL Col. 427 ; Saunders, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 661 ; David 
et Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 526 ; Hume, S. F. v. p. 325. Onychoprion melanau- 
chen, Jerd. B. Ind. ii, p. 844. Sternula melanauclien, Hume, Nests and 
Egys, p. 656 ; id. S. F. ii. p. 319. Onychoprion sumatrana {Raffi.), Salvad. 
Ucc. Born. p. 374. Sterna sumatrana (Raffi.), Hume 8f Duv. S. F. vi. p. 493 ; 
Htmie, S. F. viii. p. 116^ x. p. 247, note ; Kelham, Ibis, 1882, p. 202. 
Description. — Male and female. The whole plumage white^ the back_, 
wings and tail tinged with grey j outer web of the first primary dark grey ; 
a band commencing on the lores_, passing through the eye and widening out 
to form a large triangular patch on the back of the neck_, black. In fresh 
birds and in skins w^hich are not very old the whole of the white parts of 
the plumage are sufPused with roseate. As far as I am aware there 
is no seasonal change of plumage. 
Bill black; the extreme points of both mandibles pale yellowish horny ; 
feet black ; irides wood-brown. (Hume.) 
Length about 14 inches^ tail 6, wing S'6, tarsus 7^ bill from gape 2*1, 
fork of the tail about 3*5. 
The Black-naped Tern was noticed by Mr. Davison oflP the mouth of the 
Laynah Creek in Tenasserim ; and Mr. Hume states that he has received it 
from the mouth of the Bassein Creek. It is likely to be met with along 
the whole coast of the Province. 
It is found from the Andamans throughout the Malay peninsula and 
archipelago to Australia and New Caledonia_, audit ranges up the Chinese 
coast to Amoy. It is resident in places where it occurs^ and it breeds at 
the Andamans_, on the Chinese coast and many other localities. 
It seems very doubtful to which species of these small Terns Sterna 
sumatrana of Raffles is applicable. Mr. Hume is of opinion that this 
name is referable to the present species ; and Mr Howard Saunders^ on the 
other hand;, is of opinion that it properly applies to the small Tern which 
Mr. Hume has recently named S'. saundersi. It will^ I think^ always 
remain a matter for dispute^ for Raffles^s description applies equally well to 
either species. 
Mr. Hume found this Tern breeding near Port lilair in the Andamans 
in July and August. 
