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Show 664 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNIN^E. [Julie 20, STERNA BAL^ENARUM (Strickl.). Sternula balanarum, Strickl. Contr. Orn. 1852, p. 160; Gurney, Andersson's B. Damar. p. 363 (1872). In this species there is no wdiite frontlet, the black feathers coming down to the base of the bill, which is slender and black, except at the gape; the tail is grey like the mantle ; and the tarsi and feet are the smallest of those of the group. The shafts of the primaries are white. Walwich Bay to the Cape of Good Hope is its range, so far as is known. STERNA ALEUTICA, Baird. Sterna aleutica, Baird, Tr. Chicago Acad. 1869, 321, pl. 31. fig. 1 (Alaska) ; Dall & Bann. ib. p. 307 ; Coues, Key to N.-Am. B. p. 322 (1872), B. of N.W. A m . p. 696 (1874) ; Gray, Hand-list, iii. p. 118 (1871). After a careful examination of Pallas's description of Sterna camtschatica, I fully agree with Dr. E. Coues that Dr. O. Finsch has no sufficient reason for identifying it with this species (Abh. nat. Ver. Bremen, iii. p. 85). It is needless to repeat here the excellent descriptions given by the above American authors, the last of whom informs us that since the acquisition of the type three more specimens have been obtained. With its head-markings similar to those of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa), from which, again, it differs in having a white rump and tail, it certainly presents a most interesting link in coloration between the Sooty aud the typical Terns, groups which I cannot separate generically for want of well-defined structural differences. Indeed Dr. Coues seems inclined to give up Haliplana as a genus ; and as the only distinction appears to be in the coloration, it is not easy to see how it can be retained according to the modern definition of a genus, The type was obtained at Kadiak, Alaska, in June, with the egg; so that it was in full breeding-plumage; but of the immature stages we have as yet no description. STERNA AN^ESTHETA (Scop.). Sterna anathetus (sic), Scop. Del. Faun, et Flor. Ins. i. p. 92. no. 72 (1786), ex Sonn. Voy. p. 125, pl. 84. Sterna panayensis, G m . S. N. ii. p. 607 (1788). Sterna oahuensis, Bloxham, Voy. 'Blonde,' p. 251 (1826). Haliplana panayensis, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1224 ; Salvin, Ibis, 1864, p. 381, 1866, p. 199; Bias. J. f. Orn. 1866, p. 80. "Sterna antarctica, Cuv.," Lesson, T. d'Orn. p. 621 (1831); Pucheran, Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 541. (Admitted to be S. panayensis.) Onychoprion panaya, Gould, B. Austr. vii. pl. 33 (1848). Sterna infuscata, Heugl. Ibis, 1859, p. 351 ; id. F. Roth. Meeres, p. 32. Sterna panaya, Heugl. F. Roth. Meeres, p. 31 ; Finsch & Hartl. Vog. Ost-Afr. p. 833 (1870). Onychoprion panayensis, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 572. |