Lilford (Zool. 1881, p. 26). It is doubtful if any individuals
of this species are to be found on our coasts by the end of
August. .
: The Roseate -Tern: is an oceanic 'and southern' species,
which is not known to range beyond 67° N. lat., and ltd s
fiaerely a straggler to the islands and coasts of 'Denmark' and
the North Sea, v On the islets *of the,"north-west of France
there are several colonies,: and although exceedingly'-rare'in
the 1 Mediterranean, ,a\ spechnen has. been obtained ' off the?
Balearic Islands in May, and one on the coast of cLiguria'in
June. Mr. Godman observed it in the-Azores, but its course!
cahnot be traced down the west coast of Africa, although the
Editor has ' examined several specimens from the/Capé of
(Jood'Hope and Natal. From the.' east „cóast offAfrica* its:
rapge. exteids to.Madagascar and - fhe islands, of -the Indian
Ocean up té jÊeÿlon, where Mr. Farmer found jf^neatihgf Jthe .
Bay? óf . Bengal, and the Andaman Islands', wheré , Captain
Wimberley obtained both birds and eggs in June,* some!! of
which he presented to the/ Editor. Visiting :Burmah and
Tenasserfm,:thiB ^ è c ie s . ranges .through the Malay Archipelago
to Torres Straits, where itfbreedg Gilbert- found'-Jt
rearing its young on Houtina'n’s Abrolhos, off thÓ 'west coast
off Australia, in-^November, and Mr. E. L. Lâyard has recently
sent home both birds and eggs from New Caledonia
and the neighbouring islands
In America, where it Is far mote abundant than in Europe,
it breeds on the Atlantic coast fröM Massachusetlsito Florida,
and in’ the Bermudas ;. also in Central America, where Mr.
Salvin obtained it and it visits Jamaica, -Cpba,rPiieftp'Jtico,
and St. Thomas. American examples are on the average a
trifle larger and stronger-billed than -European.specimens';
and birds from South Africa,--Geyloh, the Andaman Islands;
Australia,'and'New. Caledonia sometimes exhibit a'larger
amount of orange-red at the basal half of ;thè bill thàfeàpeci-
mems fronffthe northern beçoispheré.^ On this preponderance
p#red Mr. Gould's” Sterna, ,g?(p§ilifs is mainly founded,'hut
the' Editor, who has examined the'typical specimen in. the
British Muséum, can see nothing in it to warrant'specific'
distinction. ’ The amount of red seems to depend upon age
and season, and in .preserved specimens it as to a-great
extent evanescent.
* ! Colonel W.; V. Legge,, who had many opportunities for
observing this species in Ceylon, says that it is purely a
sea-coast species,: rarely, being seen away from salt water,
and. .seldom . even; frequenting salt lagoons near, the sea,
Although not a swift bird in its ordinary flight, it turns with
ease and. grace, and while proceeding with light:though
measured strokes of its wings over the breaking surf, it .will
suddenly wheel round, point“ Rs. bill downwards, and either
fall- like an; arrow upom its prey, or sweep gracefully down
in a-curve and delve.up the ‘fry ’ from the surface. Its long
streamers are carried close together, so that the. bird appears
on the wing toifhave an attenuated parrakeet-like tail. - It
constantly utters a monosyllabic-and not unmusical'piping
note, but when a pair are together they give' out. a harsh
cyatie (B.‘;;ofc<Ceylon, p. 1034)?pBy a. fine ear. this.-note is
quickly recognised.
The eggs of the Roseate Tern are ^usually two or three in
number, and are plafeed in a hollow, of the sand, sometimes
surrounded by"-a-few dried bents.- As a rule-they are some*
what danger than bhose .off the Arcfigjj Tern,, but; the^ are
sul$eqt to;similar variations. 'The ground-colon? is a creamy?
white* dr-ibuff-brown’ blotched and clouded withEl-pish-grey
and rich; brown'.:. average: measurements. 1:7 by 1*15. The
food -of:this species is small.fish.
'ADm the wing the Roseate Tern may.be distinguished from
its. congeners by its elegant ^and; attenuated form, and its
pBppprtiohally short-wings*:; it is^Iq,*fact among the circling
crowd of Arctic and ‘Comnion Terns-, like "the greyhound to
other dogs. In the hand an unfailing sign of distinction is
presented by* the-'primaries, in which the white; inner margins
extend quite -round • the tips, and seven .a little way up the
Outer- webd. y-NorotheriEuropean species is so characterized,
'except the Sandwich Tern, whose' s i z e n o ijnuld prevent
confusion ;, and, a less degree, this i^ll .apply to Sterjry^,
ftmtalis, a species intermediate in psef^and found in New