THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
272 
Reef and the north-eastern coast of Queensland and those of Torres 
Strait. It is similar in habits and economy to the other species of Terns 
Breeds in colonies on coral islands throughout its range, and often in 
association with the Roseate Tern, 
Nest. —A depression in coral fragments or in the sand - generally 
placed just above high-water mark. } 
. E ( JCI S -—Usually two, white or pale creamy-white, over which are dis 
tributed irregular-shaped freckles, spots, and blotches of brownish reddish 
or purplish-black, purplish-grey, or dark umber, with underlying markings 
of lavenden The markings vary considerably in shape, colour, and distri- 
Aus?ralia) 6 mg ' SeaS ° n: Se P teniber to December ( north-easiern 
24. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata Linne 
fns-ca-ta —L., fuscatus , darkened. 
Distribution. — The coast of mid-western to northern anrl 
Sout " 
frequenting chiefly the seas in the vicinity of islands on whfrl V i f' 
Ssfcs,StaSSfSyX 't nd l ,l ’ r T ho “' L "^ 
white and the under-parts lighter than in'ihe’aduT h''" 5 ' iPPe<1 
monest'being ti u 1'/' h He ' or^'f-dm ' L ’|' L | ■ *7 10 L ! r . and markings, the com- 
blotched, more or less ovei the emh S r" Wh,tC '. Sp °‘ ted ’ heckled, or 
red, reddish-brown, and purplish red ^ Ce ’ W ^ th dl . fferent shades of 
her January; throughout 'the year iHfet Octo- 
2o. Bridled Tern Sterna ametheta Scopoli 
an-ce-the-ta -Gk, anaisthetos, without sense 
and northern Australia, 
Elliott Island; occurs ffenerallv M lr 1 1C ? un ^ er Group and Ladv 
Notes. — Also called h ' , ° Ugh ? Ut tro P ,caI and sub-tropical seas 
Sooty Tern, and Dog Tern 'usuan^fn 11°7' P f anayari Tern - Smaller 
the vicinity of islands on which 'ft breed?. f r ef \ uent 'ng the seas in 
to the other species of Terns Its note J ’ ar hab,ts and economy 
of a puppy, hence the local name of D^Xrn ‘" C 
tusso'ckTf well concealed under a 
m a crevice between rocks, or under bushes. 
