ROSEATE TERN. 
223 
Cabot’s Tern differs but slightly in coloration of plumage from 
the Sandwich Tern of England ; but our bird is confined to the 
tropical and warm temperate regions, occurring in numbers no 
farther north than Florida, though occasionally represented by a 
wanderer along the coast even to Massachusetts. It is pre-emi- 
nently a sea-bird, and is rarely found inland. 
To write of the bird’s habits would necessitate a repetition of 
what has been said of others of this group; for Cabot’s Tern dis- 
plays little originality or individuality in its methods, though it may 
be credited with great power of sustained flight, and more than 
many of the Terns deserves the name “ Sea Swallow,” so generally 
applied to the entire group; but instead of pursuing flies it preys 
solely upon fish. Its strength of wing and skill enable it to outride 
the severest storms, and flocks of these birds may be seen dipping 
into crested waves or skimming over angry breakers to seize the 
prey that may be brought to the surface by the gale. 
ROSEATE TERN. 
Sterna dougalli. 
Char. Upper parts delicate pearl gray, paler on the tail , crown and 
nape deep black; lower parts delicate rose pink, which fadp to white 
after death; bill black; legs and feet red; wings short; tail long and 
deeply forked. Length about 15!^ inches. 
Nest. A slight hollow in the sand of a sea-beach or barren sea-island, 
often amid the coarser shingle , sometimes sparsely lined with beach-grass 
or sea-weed. , , „ 
E.'t^s. 2-4 (usually 3) ; ground color varied from light to dark buff and 
pale’to deep olive ; profusely and irregularly marked with several shades 
of brown ; average size about 1.55 X i.i 5 ' 
Eggs of the Common, Arctic, and Roseate Terns are too much alike to 
be di.stingni.shed Those of the present species are said to be slightly 
lighter in color as a rule. 
The Roseate Tern, so frequently associated with and con- 
founded in the character of the Common Tern, is another 
species common to the colder and temperate parts of both 
continents, being frequent upon the coasts of Scotlantl and 
England, particularly the former. It is also found in 
Norway, and probably also upon the borders of the Baltic, 
visiting the northern coasts of the ocean in small numbers, 
