mid places ; one in September 1811, near Truro, in Corn- 
wall ; another in the vicinity of Boldness, in Cumberland 
(1807) ; and the third on the Eude- Waters, on the estate of 
the Duke of Norfolk, in Surrey. 
This bird was placed by Linneus in the genus Ilirundo^ 
to which family it is nearly allied ; in form and habits it is 
equally allied to the Genus Sterna, and from its bein^ 
destitute of feathers on its thighs, is placed next that genus 
in the System. It feeds on winged insects, which it takes 
during its flight, in the manner of the swallow tribe; it also 
devours worms and beetles. 
From Latham's Synopsis, we learn, " that this bird in- 
habits Germany, particularly the borders of the Rhine, 
near Strasburg, and lives on worms and aquatic insects ; it 
is also, at times, seen in some of the provinces of France? 
especially Lorraine ; but it is in the greatest plenty in the 
deserts towards the Caspian-Sea, frequenting the dry plains 
in great flocks." 
It is' common also throughout the whole desert of the In- 
dependent Tartars, as far as the rivers Kamjschtosska and 
Irtish, but not further into Siberia, the plains fit for it being 
there at an end; and, according to Pennant, it is not in 
general observed beyond 53 degrees north. 
