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Show (j(j6 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNINA. [June 20, B. Sterna, p. 27 (1863); Finsch & Hartl. F. Centralpolyn. p. 231, pl. xiii. fig. 3 (1867). TX , ,. Haliplana lunata, Bias. J. f. Orn. 1866, p. 80; Gray, Hand-list, iii. p. 122(1871). This species is rather larger than the preceding ; but the webs of the toes are similarly incised; the general colour is much greyer. Its range appears to be somewhat restricted, extending from the Moluccas to the Phenix and the Paumatu groups of the Polynesian Islands. There are no specimens in the British Museum ; but I have examined those at Leyden, and find it a well marked species. STERNA FULIGINOSA, Gm. Sterna fuliginosa, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 005 (1788); Aud. B. N. Am. vii. p. 90, pl. 432 (1840) ; Temm. & Schl. Fauna Japonica, p. 133, pl. 89 (1842) ; Lawr. B. N. A m . p. 861 (1858) ; Cassin, Orn. U.S. Expl. Exp. p. 3S6 (1858); Finsch & Hartl. Orn. Centralpolyn. p. 225 (1867), Vog. Ost-Afr. p. 831 (1870) ; Harting, Brit. Birds, p. 169 (1872). Onychoprion fuliginosus, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 277 (type of genus Onychoprion, based on S. serrata of J. R. Forster's M S . Descr. An. p. 276, ed. Licht. 1844) ; Gould, B. Australia, vii. pl. 32 (1848); Sclater, P.Z.S. 1856, p. 144 (I.Ascension); Scl. & Salv. P.Z.S. 1871, p. 573. Planelis guttatus, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1222 (type of genus Planetis, based on A guttata of J. R. Forster's M S . Desc. An. p. 211, ed. Licht. 1844). Haliplana fuliginosa, Wagl. Isis, 1832, p. 1224 (type of genus Haliplana); Bp. Compt. Rend. 1856, p. 772; Coues, Pr. Phil. Acad. 1862, p. 556 ; id. B. N. W . Am. p. 698 (1874); Gray, Handlist, ii. p. 122 (1871). Sterna infuscata, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 81 (1823) (type in Berlin Mus. examined, H. S.). Anous Vherminieri, Lesson, Desc. M a m m . et Ois. p. 255 (1847). Sterna gouldii, Reichenbach, Schwimmvbg. Supp. xii. fig. 829. Sterna luctuosa, Phil. & Landb. Wiegm. Arch. p. 126 (1866). Thalassipora infuscata, Gray, Hand-list, iii. p. 122(1871). "Haliplana fuliginosa, var. crissalis, Baird," Lawr. (Grayson) Proc. Bost. N.H. S. 1871, p. 285. It will be observed that Wagler has based no less than three genera upon this single species-the first, Onychoprion, depending upon a supposed serration of the claw, evidently due to natural causes in the specimen he had before him, while the other two genera are based upon the slightest of structural differences. I confess I cannot see any good reason for erecting it into a genus, especially in view of the connecting-link formed by the preceding species. Both this species and A anastheta range throughout the whole of the warmer portions of the world, there being no perceptible difference between individuals from the most widely separated localities. It is said that at Ascension Island the Sooty Terns, or |
