254 
BLACK-EARED TERN. 
neck, where it forms a white collar ; all the rest of 
the upper plumage is of a very light pearl-grey or 
cinereous; the quills are the same, glazed as it 
were, over a deep black, which shows its full tint 
on the inner webs of the five first primaries, these 
feathers being entirely blackish, without the white 
longitudinal stripe so general among the other terns ; 
all the shafts are white both above and below. The 
tail is forked, and in this specimen is about two 
inches and a half shorter than the wings ; the 
feathers, however, have obviously not reached their 
full growth ; the outer pair, which seem to exhibit 
the adult colour, are of the same very light tint as 
the back, but darker towards their tips ; the others 
are dark cinereous, mottled with white, indicating 
immaturity ; the bill is rich red, tipt with blackish, 
and the feet, which are strong, are deep black ; the 
middle claw is much curved outwards, and that of 
•the hinder toe is short and very straight. 
Total length, 21 inches ; bill, front, 2i ; gape, 3| ; 
wings, 15j, being 2J longer than the tail; tarsus, 
1 1 ; bare space above the joint, t 7 <j ; middle toe and 
claw, 1 j 6 c ; hind ditto, J. 
