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Range (Tropical America breeding)

Tropical America, breeding on the Gulf coast from Texas to Florida, and on the Atlantic coast to South Carolina; accidental in Massachusetts. Eggs, two to three, buffy white, spotted, speckled, and scrawled with distinct and obscure chocolate markings, 2.05 x 1.40. This is an abundant summer resident on the coasts of southern Florida, and in winter is common as far north as Key West. It is said by Audubon to somewhat resemble the Marsh Tern on the wing, and to have a loud, sharp, grating voice, which can be heard half a mile or more. I have never seen it alive, but I believe its yellow-tipped, black bill would enable one to identify it at some distance. TRUDEAU'S TERN (68. Sterna trudeaui) is a South American species which has been taken once on Long Island and once on the New Jersey coast. 69. Sterna forsteri Nutt. FORSTER'S TERN. Ad. in summer.-- Whole top of the head black; back and wings pearl-gray; inner border of inner web of the outer primaries white, except at the tip; rump and entire TERNS. under parts white; tail light pearl-gray, the outer feather darker toward the end, where the inner web is always darker than the outer; bill dull orange, the end third blackish; feet orange. Ad. in winter.-Similar to the above, but head white, more or less washed with grayish or spotted with black, a large black spot on the side of the head inclosing the eye; bill mostly black; feet brownish. Im. - Similar to the preceding, but the back and wings more or less mottled or washed with light brownish, and the tail much shorter. L., 15.00; W., 10-25; T., 7.00; Tar., 90; B., 1.50.