Home › R › Range (Cosmopolitan in North America)

Range (Cosmopolitan in North America)

Cosmopolitan; in North America breeds along the Gulf coast from Mexico to Florida, and on the Atlantic coast north to Virginia, straying northward rarely to Maine.

Washington, casual. Long Island, A. V. in summer.

Eggs, three to five, rather uniform buffy white, with numerous distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 1.80 x 1.30.

This is a common species on the coast of our Southern States. It is said to prefer insects, which it catches on the wing, to fish. Its voice is harsh and easily distinguishable from that of other Terns, while its heavy black bill will also serve to identify it. 64. Sterna tschegrava Lepech. CASPIAN TERN. Ad. in spring. -Top and back of the head shining black, the feathers lengthened to form a crest; back of the neck, under parts, and tail white; back and wings pearlgray; primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web (Fig. 61, a); bill coralred, darker near the tip; feet black. Ad. after the breeding season and in winter.-Similar to the above, but top of the head streaked with black. Im. -Top of head streaked with black and white; back of neck and under parts white; back, wing-coverts, and tertials pearl-gray, spotted or barred with brownish black; primaries dark slaty, silvery on the outer web; tail pearlgray, more or less barred with brownish black; bill orange-red; feet blackish brown. L., 21.00; W., 16-20; T., 6:00; B., 2.80.