SHORT-TAILED TERN. 
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GENUS II. HYDR0CHEL1D0N. THE BLACK TERNS. 
Gen. Ch. Bill, about as lony as head and pointed. Toes, not webbed to lips. Leys, short. Tail, short and not deep¬ 
ly forked. 
Members of this genus are generally very dark in color. Sexes, similar. There is but one species within our limits. 
HYDROCHELIDON NIGRA. 
Short-tailed Tern. 
Sterna niyra Linn., Syst. Nat.; 1766, 227. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Cii. Form, slender. Size, small. Color. Adult. Under portion, head, and neck,sooty-black, becoming dark 
ashy-gray above, and hoary on primaries. Under wing coverts, ashv-blue, and under tail coverts, white. Iris, brown, bill 
and feet, black. Youny. Posterior portion of the head and patch around eye, dusky. Remainder of plumage, ashy-blue, 
tinged with reddish above and becoming white on forehead, throat, ring around neck, and central under parts. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Known by the small size, short tail, and dark colors.. Distributed, in summer, throughout the West. Winters south 
of the United States. Not uncommon on the coast of Massachusetts in autumn. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 9*50; stretch, 23*50; wing, 8*39; tail, 3*50; bill, 
1’12; tarsus, ’55. Longest specimen, 10*00; greatest extent of wing, 24*00; longest wing, 8*75; tail, 4*00; bill, 1*25; tarsus, 
*60. Shortest specimen, 9*00; smallest extent of wing, 23;00; shortest wing, 8 00; tail, 3*00; bill, 1*05; tarsus, *50. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Eyys, placed on the ground, three or four in number, pyriform in shape, and varying from brown to greenish in color 
spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of varying shades. Dimensions from *90 x 1*25 to 1*00 x 1*40. 
HABITS. 
The Short-tailed Terns breed on the marshes in the vicinity of the Great Lakes, and 
on the bodies of water throughout the West, but are not very uncommon along our New 
England coast, late in August, at which time all Terns are inclined to wander. These 
birds, although fond of fish, live largely upon insects and are very expert at catching them. 
In manner of flight, they resemble the Least Tern. 
GENUS III. ANOUS. THE NODDYS. 
Gen. Ch. Bill, lonyer than head, curved, and pointed. Toes, webbed to tips. Feet, large, Legs, short. Tail, long ana 
rounded. 
Members of this genus are very dark in color. Sexes, similar. There is but one species within our limits. 
ANOUS STOLIDUS. 
Noddy Tern. 
Anous slo/idus Gy., List Gen.; 1841, 100. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Cii. Form, slender. Size, large. Color. Adult. Sooty-brown throughout, becoming darker on wings, tail, and 
patch before eye. Crown, yellowish-white becoming ashy posteriorly. Iris and feet, brown, bill, black. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Easily recognized by the uniform dark colors and whitish crown. Constantly resident on Florida Keys and Bahamas. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from Florida. Length, 15*50; stretch, 30*60; wing, 10*25; tail, 5*55; bill, 1*62; 
tarsus, *98. Longest specimen, 16*00; greatest extent of wing, 31 10; longest wing, 10*55; tail, 6 05; bill, 1*75; tarsus, 1*05. 
Shortest specimen, 13*00; smallest extent of wing, 30*00; shortest wing, 10*05; tail, 4 95; bill, 1*52 ; tarsus, *93. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed in trees, composed of sticks. Eyys, two or three in number, oval in form, ashy-yellow in color, spot¬ 
ted and blotched with pale reddish-brown and lilac. Dimensions from l*42x 1*80 to 1*52x2*00. 
HABITS. 
The Noddy Tern is only found regularly on the. west side of the Golf Stream, on the 
extreme southern Florida Keys, and breeds on Bird Key at the Dxy Tortugas, in company 
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