MARSH TERN. 
243 
reach of any ordinary encroachment of the tides ; for, as Wilson has truly 
said, this species forms no nest. The eggs differ considerably in their mark- 
ings. They are generally an inch and three quarters in length, an inch and 
half an eighth in breadth, smooth, of a greenish or olivaceous tint, largely 
marked with irregular splashes of dark umber, almost black, disposed around 
the broadest part, leaving the apex with only a few small dots of the same 
colour, similar dots being as sparingly dispersed toward the smaller end, 
which falls off toward the extremity, and is there gently rounded. The 
parents sit more upon them than is usual with Terns which drop their eggs 
on the sands, and they do not leave their charge in cloudy weather. The 
young have the bill of a dull reddish orange-brown colour, the legs and feet 
of a less deep tint of the latter colour, which is retained by them until late 
in the winter, when these parts become black, and so continue for life. 
The Marsh Tern does not extend its migrations eastward along our shores 
beyond New England ; which will be understood by those who know, that 
in a continued direction the rocky shores afford them no place in which they 
could obtain food. But, from what I know of the extraordinary power of 
flight of this bird, I am not at all surprised at its being found in Europe, 
any more than I should be to find it cosmopolitan. 
I here present the different measurements carefully taken from fresh birds 
of only four pairs, all shot in spring, and in full plumage, although of 
different ages. Wilson’s measurements are as follows: “ fourteen inches 
in length, and thirty-four in extent.” 
M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 
Length to end of tail, . 13 14f 141 134 131 13* 14* 14 
claws, . 11 12* 12 11* 124 121 12 11 
. wings, . 14* 15 154 144 144 13* 151 141 
Extent of wings, .... 33 344 344 33* 34 34 35* 35 
Tarsus, 14 1* 1 If 14 1 If 1? 
The weight of the four male birds was 64 oz., 51, 6£, 7*. The females 
were quite as heavy. 
Marsh Tern, Sterna aranea, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. viii. p. 143. 
Sterna aranea, Bonap. Syn., p. 354. 
Marsh Tern, Sterna anglica, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 269. 
Marsh or Gull-billed Tern, Sterna anglica, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 127. 
Male, 14, 34. 
Cosmopolite. In America, breeds from the mouth of the Mississippi to 
Connecticut. Not abundant. Migratory. 
Adult Male in summer. 
Bill about the length of the head, rather stout, compressed, acute. U pper 
