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Range (Cosmopolitan species)

A cosmopolitan species of irregular distribution; in North America, breeds locally from Texas to Great Slave Lake; migrates through the interior and on the coast, and apparently does not winter within our limits. Long Island, uncommon T. V., Aug. and Sept.

Eggs, two to three, grayish white or buffy white, with rather small, distinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2.70 × 1.83. This large Tern of local distribution is to be known by its size and red bill. Unless the two were seen together, however, I do not believe it could with certainty be distinguished in life from the Royal Tern. 65. Sterna maxima Bodd. ROYAL 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 pearl-gray; inner web of primaries, except at the tip, white; tip, outer web, and shaft part of inner web dark, silvery slate-color (Fig. 61, 6). Ad. after the breeding season and in winter.-Similar to the above, but top of the head streaked with black and white. Im. - Resembling the young of S. tschegrava, but smaller and with the inner half of the inner web of the primaries white. L., 19.00; W., 14:00; T., 7.00; B., 2.50.