BIRDS OF THE OCEAN AND SEASHORE 
27 r 
Nest—A depression in the ground; generally on bare ground sur¬ 
rounded with herbage. 
Egg. —One, varying from white to reddish-white, covered with evenly 
distributed dots, spots and blotches of purplish and reddish-brown and 
underlying markings of grey. The markings vary considerably in shape 
and colour, some eggs being sparingly marked, while others" have the 
markings chiefly about the larger end. Breeding-season : May to 
November. 
21. Little Tern Sterna albifrons Vroeg 
al'-bi-frons —L., a!bus, white; L., frons, forehead. 
Distribution. —Europe, Africa, and southern Asia, to China and 
northern and eastern Australia (from Derby, north-western Australia, to 
Mallacoota Inlet, Victoria). 
Notes. —Also called White-shafted Temlet, Black-lored Tern, and 
Sea-swallow. Usually in flocks, frequenting chiefly inlets and sea beaches. 
Sand-spits near the entrance of inlets appear to be its favourite nesting- 
sites, and it also breeds on beaches of islands near the coast-line. 
Nest. —A depression in the sand; generally' on sand-spits or beaches, 
just above high-water mark. 
Eggs— Usually two, varying from dull white or creamy-white to 
stone-grey or pale coffee-brown, with dots, spots, small penumbral blotches 
of blackish-brown, umber, and dark slate-grey, and underlying markings 
of pale grey. Breeding season : October to January or February. 
22. Fairy Tern Sterna nereis Gould 
ne'-re-is —Gk, nereis , Nereid, sea-nymph. 
Distribution. —Western and southern coasts of Australia (from 
Broome to Melbourne), Tasmania, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. 
Notes. —Also called White-faced Ternlet, Little Tern, and Sea- 
swallow. It is similar in habits and economy to the Little Tern, from 
which it may be distinguished by its slightly larger size, paler upper-parts, 
less black before the eye, and bright yellow bill. Breeds in colonies' in 
similar situations to those selected by the Little Tern. 
Nest. —A depression in the sand. 
figgs— Usually two, very similar to those of the Little Tern. 
Breeding-season; November to January or February. 
23. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana Raffles 
sumatrana —of Sumatra. 
Distribution. —Tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the Anda¬ 
mans and Malay' Archipelago to China, northern Australia, New Caledonia, 
and the Fiji Islands. 
Notes. Usually in pairs, or fishing in association with Noddies and 
ridled Terns, frequenting the islands lying between the Great Barrier 
