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Range (Temperate and tropical regions)

Temperate and tropical regions; in America apparently confined to the Atlantic coast, breeding from Florida northward to Maine; comparatively rare north of southern New Jersey; winters south of the United States. Long Island, uncommon but regular S. R., May through Sept. Eggs, three, not distinguishable with certainty from those of S. forsteri or S. hirundo, but averaging paler and less heavily marked, 1.65 x 1.20. This species is found associated with colonies of Common Terns, apparently making its nest among theirs. It is a less excitable, wilder bird than hirundo, and its single harsh note, cack, may be distinctly heard above the uproar of Common Terns, as it hovers somewhat in TERNS. the background. Its white breast and long outer tail-feathers also aid in distinguishing it. 74. Sterna antillarum (Less.). LEAST TERN. Ad. in summer.- Forehead white, lores and crown black; back, tail, and wings pearl-gray; outer web of outer primaries and shaft part of the inner web slaty black; under parts white; bill yellow, generally tipped with black; feet orange. Ad. in winter.- Top of head white, more or less spotted with black; back of head black; bill blackish. Im. - Upper parts and tail at the end mottled with blackish and buffy, primaries as in the adult, under parts white, bill blackish. L., 9.00; W., 6.90; T., 3.50; B., 1.10.