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Range (Breeding in North America)

Breeding in North America along the Gulf coast from Texas to TERNS.

Florida, and on the Atlantic coast to Virginia; occasionally wanders northward to the Great Lakes and Massachusetts. Long Island, A. V. in summer.

Eggs, one to four, more pointed than those of the preceding, grayish white, with rather small, distinct, and obscure chocolate markings, 2.65 x 1.75. A common species on our southern coasts. During the winter it is about the only Tern one sees in Florida waters. It is a strong, active bird on the wing, and a reckless, dashing diver, frequently disappearing beneath the surface in catching its prey. The slow-flying Pelicans are at its mercy, and it often deftly robs them of their wellearned gains. Both this species and the preceding, and indeed all the Terns, are to be known from the Gulls by the very different manner in which they hold their bills. A Tern points its bill directly downward, and looks, as Coues says, like a big mosquito, while a Gull's bill points forward in the plane of its body. 67. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida (Cabot). CABOT'S TERN;