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Show 1877.] MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE LARIDSE. 797 These three specimens are in adult breeding-plumage, the long outer tail-streamers being, however, somewhat abraded. 7. GYGIS CANDIDA (Gm.). Sterna Candida, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. 2, p. 607 (1788). Gygis Candida, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1223 ; Saunders, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 667. [2 specimens, d and 2 • Boatswain-bird Island, Ascension Island, about April 3rd, 1873. No. 546, 2 • } Tahiti. September 18th-October 2nd, 1875. Shot No. 547, 2- J by Balfour on trees near Papuerini? Eyes black.] There are also two specimens in spirits. All these examples have bills broad at the base, although from the mandibular angle to the tip there is some slight variation, those of the Tahitian birds being more pointed, whilst in those from the volcanic crags of Boatswain-bird Island the bill is evidently worn down and blunted. In the coloration of the webs of the feet, also, the Tahitian birds are of a brighter lemon-colour ; but the extent of this colour is the same in all, viz. down to and a little below the last joint of the middle toe. The shafts of the tail-feathers and of the primaries seem liable to become white with the age of the feather itself, owing to abrasion of the surface; but in no case are the characteristics wanting which distinguish this species from G. micro-rhyncha, only known at present from the Marquesas Islands, where the present species is also found. The fact of its being obtained near Ascension Island is an interesting addition to our knowledge of its range, as it has not yet been recorded on that side, so far as I am aware, beyond St. Helena. 8. A N O U S STOLIDUS (Linn.) Sterna stolida, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 227 (1766). Anous stolidus, Gray, List Gen. Birds, p. 100 (1841); Saunders, P.Z.S. 1876, p. 669. [2 specimens. Inaccessible Island, near Tristan d'Acunha, October 16th, 1873. Eyes black. Live in caves and on trees. No. 140, d- Raine Island, Australia. Feet, bill, and eyes No. 444, 2 • At sea : lat. 1° N., long. 137° 11' E. No. 485, 2 • Admiralty Islands, March 3rd-10th, 1875. No. 564, d- At sea, near Tahiti, October 1875.] In alcohol. Egg, and newly hatched young, St. Paul's Rocks, Atlantic, August 28th, 1873. 9 eggs from Raine Island, August 31st, 1874. This is a very interesting series, showing the changes resulting from age, both in the individual and in the annual plumage. The examination of a great number of Noddies from various localities tends to show that specimens in clean and fresh plumage are very rarely to be met with ; and the weatherworn appearance of some individuals, when compared with freshly moulted birds, would lead the superficial observer to suppose that he had before him distinct PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1877, No. LII. 52 |