h
probably first gave the birds their name. They breed on the coasts and
islands of Mexico and Central America, placing their eggs on the sand.
They are believed to lay but a single egg, like that of the Royal Tern,
but smaller. Size 2.40 x 1.40. Data.--Honduras, Central America, June 5,
1899. Single egg laid on the sandy beach.

[Illustration 053: Gull-billed Tern. Caspian Tern. Royal Tern.]
[Illustration: Grayish buff.]
[Illustration: Cream color.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 52

67. CABOT TERN. _Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida._

Range.--A tropical species breeding regularly north to the Bahamas and
Florida; casually farther north. A beautiful bird distinguished from the
three preceding ones by its smaller size (sixteen inches) and by the
bill which is black with a yellow tip. They nest in colonies on the
shores of islands in the West Indies and Bahamas, but not to a great
extent on the United States Coast. Their two or three eggs have a creamy
ground color, and are boldly marked with brown and black. Size 2.10 x
1.40.

68. TRUDEAU'S TERN. _Sterna trudeaui._

Range.--South America; accidentally along the coast of the United
States.

A rare and unique species with a form similar to the following, but with
the coloration entirely different. About fifteen inches in length; tail
long and deeply forked; bill yellow with a band of black about the
middle. Whole head pure white, shading into the pearly color of the
upper and under parts. A narrow band of black through the eye and over
the ear coverts. A very rare species that is supposed to breed in
southern South America. Given a place among North American birds on the
strength of a specimen seen by Audubon off Long Island.

[Illustration 054: Elegant Tern. Cabot's Tern.]
[Illustration: Cream color.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 53

69. FORSTER'S TERN. _Sterna forsteri._

Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from Manitoba, Mass., and
California, south to the Gulf Coast and Texas.

Length about fifteen inches; tail long and deeply forked; crown black,
back and wings pearl and under parts white. Bill orange red. This
species and the three following are the most graceful of birds in
appearance and flight. Their movements can only be likened to those of
the Swallows, from which they get the name of "Sea Swallows." Their food
consists of fish, which they get by diving, and marine insects. They
breed by thousands in the marshes fro