The Terns. 
195 
The Whiskered Tern. The Gull-billed Tern. 
THE 
CASPIAN TERN. 
(Hydroprogne 
ccispia.) 
with a little sea-weed or dead grass, and the eggs are two or three in number, pale 
stone-buff with a slight olive tinge, spotted all over with blackish and grey, but not 
so as to form blotches ; the length is from an inch-and-three-quarters to two-inches- 
and-a-half, so that there is great variation in the size of the eggs. 
This species measures nineteen inches in length, and is 
recognised by its large size and by its red bill. It has occurred 
several times off the southern and eastern coasts of England, 
and it breeds in the Island of Sylt and in the Mediterranean, as 
well as on the Indian and Australian coasts. It also nests in 
North America. This large species feeds almost entirely on fish, and is a bird of power- 
ful flight, making a great 
demonstration in defence 
of its nest. The latter is 
only a depression in the 
sand, with a few shells or 
bents of grass for lining. 
The eggs are two or three 
in number, greyish-buff or 
stone buff, with markings 
of chocolate-brown or 
blackish, not forming 
blotches. Their length 
is from two - and - a - 
quarter to two -and -a- 
half inches. 
1 3 * 
The Caspian Tern. 
