TERNS 
165 
The Gull-billed Tern has greatly decreased in numbers during 
recent years, and it now breeds only locally and in small numbers 
from Cobb’s Island, Virginia, southward. It is a less excitable bird 
than the Common Tern, from which and its near allies it may be known 
by its short, comparatively heavy, black bill and short, less-forked tail. 
Its notes are a high, reedy tee-tee-tee , sometimes suggesting those of a 
weak- voiced katydid. 
64. Sterna caspia Pallas. Caspian Tern. Ads. in spring. — Top and 
back of head shining black, the feathers lengthened to form a crest; back of 
neck, underparts, and tail white; back and wings pearl-gray; primaries 
dark slaty, silvery on the outer web (Fig. 79, a); bill coral-red, darker near 
tip; feet black. Ads. after he breeding season and in winter. — Similar to the 
above, but top of the head streaked with black. Im. — Top of head streaked 
with black and white; back of neck and underparts white; back, wing- 
coverts, and tertials pearl-gray, spotted or barred with brownish black; 
primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web; tail pearl-gray, more or less 
barred with brownish black; bill orange-red; feet blackish brown. L., 
21*00; W., 16-20; T., 6-00; B., 2*80. 
Range. — Nearly cosmopolitan. Breeds in N. Am. at Great Slave Lake, 
Ore., on islands of n. Lake Michigan, on coast of s. Lab., and also on 
coasts of Tex., La., Miss., S. C., and (formerly) Va.; winters from coast of 
cen. Calif, to L. Calif, and w. Mex. (Colima), and on s. Atlantic and Gulf 
coasts; casual in migration north to Alaska, James Bay, and N. F. 
Washington, casual, Sept., Oct., 1896. Long Island, uncommon T. V. 
May and Sept. SE. Minn., uncommon T. V., Apl. 25. 
Eggs, 2-3, grayish white or buffy white, with rather small, distinct, 
and obscure chocolate markings, 2*70 x 1*83. Date , Corpus Christi, Tex., 
Apl. 8, 1885; Gravel Is., Wis., June 10. 
The singularly interrupted distribution of this, the largest of our 
Terns, indicates that it was once a far more abundant bird. It resembles 
the smaller red-billed Terns in general habits, but its large size prevents 
it from being confused with any other species except the Royal Tern. 
From Gulls it may be known by its red, pointed bill and forked tail. 
1908. Chapman, F. M., Camps and Cruises, 301 (nesting). 
65. Sterna maxima Bodd. Royal Tern. Ads. in spring. — Top and 
back of head shining black, feathers lengthened to form a crest; back of neck, 
underparts, and tail white; back and wings pearl-gray ; inner web of primaries, 
except at tip, white; outer web, and shaft part of inner web dark, silvery 
slate-color (Fig. 79, b). Ads. after the breeding season and in winter. — Similar 
but top of head streaked with black and white. Im. — Resembling young of 
S. caspia, but smaller and with the inner half of the inner web of the pri- 
maries white. L., 19-00; W., 14-00; T., 7 00; B., 2'50. 
Range. — Tropical coasts n. to U. S. Breeds in W. Indies and on s. 
Atlantic and Gulf coasts n. to Va. and w. to Tex. ; wanders casually to Mass.; 
not rare in summer from San Francisco Bay s. to w. Mex.; winters from 
Monterey, Calif, and Gulf of Mex., s. to Peru and Brazil, and on w. coast of 
Africa from Gibraltar to Angola. 
Long Island, one record, Aug. 27. 
Eggs, 2-4, more pointed than those of the preceding, grayish white, 
with rather small, distinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2*65 x 1*75. 
Date, Corpus Christi, Tex., Apl. 8, 1885; near Charleston S. C., May 15. 
A common species on our southern coasts. During the winter it 
is about the only Tern one sees in Florida waters. It is a strong, active 
