WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN.
HYDR 0 CHE LID ON LEUCOPTERA {Schinz).
Sterna leucoptera, Schinz in Meisn. & Schmz's Vog. d.
Schweiz, p. 264 (1815); Naum. x. p. 215.
Hydrochelidon leucoptera, Macg. v. p. 6 6 1 ; Yarr. ed. 4, iii.
p. 522; Dresser, viii. p. 321.
Hirondelle de mer leucopfere, French ; Weissfl'ugelige
Seeschwalbe, German; Fumarell, Valencian; Alsio,
Catalan.
This bird, though never abundant in our country,
may be considered as a frequent vernal visitor to
England and Ireland, and from its close resemblance in
size, form, and habits to the Black Tern, it is more
than possible that it may in former years often have
escaped special notice or record. At the present time,
however, the Black Tern is nearly, if not quite, as
casual a visitor as the present species, and British bird-collectors
would, I fear, show as little mercy to the one
as to the other. The White-winged Black Tern was
very common during the vernal passage in April and May
in the Ionian marshes; but I could not ascertain that
it bred either in the islands or on the opposite main-