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Remarks (This species closely resembles)

This species closely resembles S. longicaudus. Adults of both species, whether in the dark or light phase of plumage, may always be distinguished from each other by the difference in the length of their central tail-feathers, in addition to the characters given in the key. Young birds can not be distinguished by color, but may be identified by the differences in relative proportions of the bill.

Range.-"Northern parts of the northern hemisphere, southward in winter to South Africa and South America" (A. O. U.). In America breeds in the Barren Grounds and Greenland; migrates southward through the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic coasts, and winters from the Middle States southward.

Long Island, regular from June 15 to Oct. 30.

Nest, on the moors or tundras, a slight depression in the ground scantily lined with grasses, etc., or on rocks by the sea. Eggs, two to four, light olivebrown, with frequently a strong greenish tinge and chocolate markings, more numerous and sometimes confluent at the larger end, 2.25 x 1.65. 38. Stercorarius longicaudus Vieill. LONG-TAILED JAEGER. Ad., light phase. --Back, wings, and tail slaty fuscous; top of head and lores nearly black; sides of the head, back and sides of the neck straw-yellow; GULLS. throat sometimes washed with the same color; under parts white; sides, lower belly, and crissum slaty fuscous; central tail-feathers extending about 7.00 beyond the others, the projecting ends narrow and pointed. (No dark phase of this species has been described.) Im. - Similar in plumage to im. of S. parasiticus, but differing otherwise as pointed out under that species. L., 21:00; W., 12.50; T., Ad., 12.00, Im., 5.50; B., 1.08.