482 
LARIDiE. 
distinguish them from each other with anything like 
certainty. Eggs of the Arctic Tern are rarely so large 
as some specimens of those of the common tern; but 
they are more frequently so perfectly alike in size, con¬ 
tour, and colouring, that the three figures of the plate, 
though drawn from eggs of the two species, may be 
all taken as representing either of them separately; the 
egg of the common tern there figured, is larger than 
is usual. The eggs of both are subject to the same 
endless varieties, from a ground-colour of white, light 
blue, or pale yellow, to green and brown, much darker 
than any figure of the plate. 
