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Show 672 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNIN.E. [Julie 20, to this species, I was for some time in doubt, until I observed depicted in his plate a characteristic which distinguishes this species from all other members of the group, viz. that the second tail-feather is distinctlg the longest on each side, whereas in other Noddies the third is the longest, the fourth being often but a trifle shorter. In this arrangement of the tail-feathers Anous caruleus comes next to Gygis, and indeed is only placed here for convenience of treatment. In its range it is probably the most restricted of the family, being only found on the N.E. coast of Australia and throughout the coral formations of the Pacific as far as Christmas Island, a little to the north of the Equator. It was found breeding at Honden Island, in the Paumotu group, on August 21st, depositing a single egg in the concavities of the coral rock (Peale and Cassin) ; and we are told that it does not wander far from coral islands. It is unnecessary in this paper to take notice of mere names, given by Bonaparte and others, to which no description is attached; but there are two supposed species which were unknown to Messrs. Sclater and Salvin when writing the "List of Neotropical Laridse," and upon which the subsequent five years have thrown no light. In hope of clearing up the subject, I give the names and a brief description :- Sterna atrofasciata, described by Philippi and Landbeck in 'Wiegmann's Archiv,' 1863, pt. i. p. 202, is an immature example of a small species, the wing being 9 inches long, the bill 1 inch long, black, red at the gape, the tarsus 7 lines, dull red, the mantle and wings dark ash-grey, and the underparts and rump white. This description does not apply to any known species; and it may prove to be a good one. The solitary specimen was shot at Llico, Col-chagua, Chili, in December 1861, near the outlet of the great salt lake ot Vichuquen. A acutirostris, Tsch. F. Peru. Aves, p. 305 (1846), is described as 10 inches long, bill nearly 2 inches, wing 6*6, tars. *75; pure white below, pale grey above; bill black, with a red band in the middle, and tip horn-colour. It is found in the lakes of the Cordilleras, where Larus serranus breeds. A Tern with a bill nearly a third as long as the wing is certainly remarkable; but as, in describing A exilis, Tschudi states that the total length is 7 inches, and the wing alone 7 inches 3 lines (!), his measurements are somewhat incomprehensible, and it is advisable to wait further information. In concluding this revision I wish to acknowledge the assistance that I have at all times received in the Zoological Department of the British Museum, the Leyden Museum, from Prof. Peters of Berlin, M . Bouvier of Paris, and also from many friends who have placed their collections at m y disposal. M y thanks are especially due to Mr. Osbert Salvin, whose fine series, of American Sterninse has always been available, and whose practical experience has, at times, been of great assistance in intricate questions of synonymy and doubtful nomenclature. |
