434 
BIRDS OF BRITISH BURMAH. 
the first three^ which are clay-coloured. This is a much rarer species ; and 
I think we are justified in identifying the Sterna alba of Sparrman with 
the larger and better known species. 
Genus ANOUS, Stephens. 
172. ANOUS STOLIDUS. 
THE COMMON NODDY. 
Sterna stolida, Linn. Si/st. Nat. i. p. 227. Anous stolidus, Gould, B. Austr. vii. 
pi. 34 ; Jerd. B. Ind. ii. p. 845 ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 379 ; Hume, S. F. ii. 
p. 320, iv. p. 478 ; Saunders, P. Z. S. 1876, p, 669 ; David et Oust. Ois. Chine, 
p. 529 ; Hume, S. F. Tiii. p. 116 ; Legge, Birds Ceylon, p. 1043. 
Description. — Male and female. The whole plumage chocolate-brown, the 
quills, tail and lesser wing-coverts almost black ; forehead and crown 
greyish white, gradually paling off on the hind neck ; a black streak on the 
upper eyelid produced forwards onto the lores ; a small line of white on 
the lower eyelid. 
Irides deep brown ; bill black, orange at the angle of the gape ; legs and 
feet dusky vinous purple ; the webs paler and more dove-colour ; claws 
black. [Hume.) 
Length IG inches, tail 6*2, wing 11, tarsus '95, bill from gape 2*4; tail 
rounded, the outer feathers falling short of the tip by about 2 inches. 
The Common Noddy is stated by Dr. Jerdon to occur in the Bay of 
Bengal. 
It is met with throughout the intertropical seas of the whole world, 
sometimes ranging north and south of the tropics. 
The Noddies are black Terns with rounded tails ; they are found far 
out at sea and they breed on rocks and islands. Mr. Hume found the 
present species breeding on one of the Laccadive Islands in February. 
The eggs are usually laid on the sand, but in some places they are said to 
construct nests of seaweed on bushes and rocks ; each nest contains but a 
single egg. 
