REPORT OF RE W TERSE V STATE MUSEUM. 
Common Tern; Wilson’s Tern; Sea Swallow —(Sterna 
Jiirundo). 
A pearl-gray-backed, white-throated tern, with a pale, pearl-gray breast and 
belly, and a deeply forked tail. In summer the whole top of the head is black 
and the bill is red except the end third, which is black ; but in winter the front 
part of the head is white, the bill mainly black, and even the under parts change 
from pearl-gray to white. 
Breeds on Atlantic coast as far north as New England States. Winters on 
south Atlantic coast. Fashion’s demand has made this tern almost extinct. 
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Arctic Tern—( Sterna paradiscea). 
This is almost exactly like the last, but the tail is somewhat larger and the 
bill decidedly redder. 
Breeds in Arctic regions to Massachusetts, and winters in South New Jersey 
and southward. Bare straggler on New Jersey coast in autumn and winter. 
Roseate Tern—( Sterna dougalli). 
A rare black-billed, white-tailed tern, with back and wings pearl-gray, and 
the white under parts often delicately pink-tinted. The bill is slightly reddish 
at base, especially in young birds. 
Breeds on Atlantic coast, formerly on New Jersey coast. Winters on gulf 
coast and South America. Rare on New Jersey coast in summer. 
Least Tern—( Sterna antillarum). 
A very small, rare tern, with the back, wings and tail pearl-gray, the under 
parts white, the forehead white, and the bill mainly yellow. There is a black 
cap extending forward past the eyes, and the outer webs of the outer primaries 
are black. 
Breeds in south Atlantic States. Winters along gulf coast and southward. 
It was formerly abundant along the New Jersey coast in summer, but has been 
nearly exterminated by the millinery collectors. 
Sooty Tern— (Sterna fuliginosa). 
A large tern, with nearly all the upper surface black, and the lower surface 
white. The tail is deeply forked, and the bill and feet are black. The outer 
tail feathers are white, with brownish on the terminal half of the inner web. 
Breeds on tropical and sub-tropical sea coast. Winters on tropical coast. 
Very rare on New Jersey coast. 
Bt.ack Tern —(Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis). 
A small, short-tailed, black tern, with the back, wings and tail somewhat 
lighter and more slate colored, and the under tail coverts white. 
Breeds in temperate North America, mainly on inland waters. Winters 
along gulf and South American coast. It visits New Jersey in fall. 
