XCIV 
INTRODUCTION. 
Subfamily STERNIN^E, Bomp. 
The memlDers of this family inhabiting Austraha and Europe are nearly equal in number, and in each country 
examples of the same forms are found to exist ; the Austrahan fauna has also a Gygis and an Onychoprion, neither of 
which inhabit the European seas, and four species of Anoiis, of which only one frequents the northern hemisphere. 
Genus Sylochelidon, Bre/m. 
560. Sylochehdon strenuus • Vol. VII. PL 22. 
A representative of the S. Caspius of Europe. 
■Genus Thalasseus, Bote. 
The members of this genus, the type of which is the T. Cantiacus of the British Islands, are widely dispersed 
over most parts of the Old World, and three distinct species inhabit Austraha. 
561. Thalasseus Pelecanoides , Vol. VII. PL 23. 
562. Thalasseus pohocercus, Gould . Vol. VII. PL 24. 
663. Thalasseus Torresii, Gould • • • Vol. VII. PL 25. 
Since my account of this species was printed I have seen adult specimens from Southern India, M'hich country 
is in all probability its true habitat. 
Genus Sterna, Linn. 
The members of this genus, as now restricted, enjoy so wide a range over the globe, that they may be said 
to be univerally dispersed : three species are found in Austraha. 
564. Sterna melanorhyncha, GoM^t? VoL VII. PL 26. 
565. Sterna gracihs, Gould Vol. VII. PL 27. 
566. Sterna melanauchen, Temm Vol. VII. PL 28. 
" This beautiful bird," says Mr. M'Gillivray, " is very local in its breeding-places, the only one known to me 
being one of the ' three sand-banks ' near Sir Charles Hardy's Islands. The eggs are two in number, deposited in 
a slia:ht''hollow in the sand. I have seen this bird on another neighbouring sand-bank, also on Solitary Island, near 
Cape Yoi-k, and in Endeavour Straits, but was unable to procure a specimen from any of the three last- mentioned 
localities, on account of its excessive shyness. It is one of the most noisy of the Terns, and I generally saw it in 
small parties of half-a-dozen, or thereabouts. The fully-fledged young of the year differs from the adult in having 
the black on the head dark broAvn mottled with white, and the whole of the upper surface and wings variegated 
with dark brownish grey." 
Genus Sternula, Boie. 
Europe and Australia are both tenanted by little Terns, the specific distinctness of which cannot be questioned, 
however much that of the large Terns (genus Sylochelidon) may be : ought we not then to infer that some peculiar 
law prevails, and that if one be distinct the other is also ? However that may be, it is certain that birds regarded 
as identically the same, because no external difference is perceptible, breed at opposite seasons in the two hemi- 
spheres, and that if the birds of one hemisphere be brought and retained in the other, they continue to moult their 
feathers and to breed at the same period that they would have done had they remained in their native country. 
567. Sternula Nereis, GomW . • • . • • VoL VII. PL 29. 
