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Range (Tropical and subtropical)

Tropical and subtropical regions; in North America breeds rarely as far north as North Carolina; occasionally wanders northward to Maine; winters south of the United States.

Long Island, A. V. in summer.

Eggs, one to three, whitish or buff, speckled or spotted with chocolate, 2.00 x 1.45.

A regular summer visitant to our southern coasts and occasionally wandering northward. It breeds in colonies in little-frequented islands in the West Indies, and may be seen fishing in flocks, which hover low over the water.

The BRIDLED TERN (76. Sterna anœthetus), a tropical species, has been taken once in Florida, but may prove to be a regular summer visitant to some of the Florida keys. 77. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.). BLACK TERN. Ad. in summer. - Whole head and under parts, except under tail-coverts, black; back, wings, and tail slate-color; bill and feet black. Ad. in winter. SKIMMERS. -Forehead, nape, and under parts white; back of the head black mixed with white; back, wings, and tail deep pearl-gray. Im.-Similar to the preceding, but upper parts more or less washed and tipped with brownish; sides washed with grayish. L., 10.00; W., 8.30; T., 3·30; B., 1.00.