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Show 644 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNINA. [June 20, Phaetusa magnirostris, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1224 (type of genus Phaetusa); Scl. & Salvin, P.Z.S. 1871, p. 567; Gray, Handlist, iii. p. 120 (1871). Sglochelidon magnirostris, Blasius, J. f. Orn. 1866, p. 82. This large-billed Tern with a slightly forked tail, but with amply webbed feet, is found far up the great rivers and along the coasts of tropical America from the equator down to about 35° S. Its eggs, which are deposited on the sandbanks, are similar in character to those of S. anglica ; and taking all its characters into consideration, without relying only on the shape of the bill, it is difficult to allow its generic distinction without admitting a host of other and confusing genera. STERNA ANGLICA, Mont. Sterna anglica, Mont. Orn, Diet. Suppl. (1813) (type in Brit. Mus.); Schlegel, Mus. P.-Bas, Sterna, p. 34 (1863); Degl. & Gerbe, Orn. Eur. ii. p. 450 (1867). Sterna aranea, Wilson, A m . Orn. viii. p. 143, pl. 72. fig. 6 (1814). Sterna affinis, Horsfield, Trans. Linn. Soc. 1820, xiii. p. 199 (type examined in E. 1. Mus., H. S.). Thalasseus anghcus, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 563. Viralva anglica, Steph. in Shaw's Gen. Zool. xiii.pt.i. p. 174(1826). Gelochelidon balthica, Brehm, H . Vog. Deutsch. p. 772 (1831). Gelochelidon meridionalis, Brehm. H.Vog. Deutsch. p. 774 (1831) type of genus Gelochelidon. Laropis anglica, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1225 (type of Laropis). Sterna macrotarsa, Gould, P. Z. S. 1837, p. 26. Gelochelidon anglica, Coues, Proc. Phil. Ac. 1862, p. 536; Jerdon, B. India, iii. p. 836 (1864) ; Blasius, J. f. Orn. 1866, p. 82 ; Scl. & Salvin, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 572; Coues, B. N.W. Am. p. 664 (1874). Gelochelidon macrotarsa, Gould, B. Austr. Suppl.pl. 81 (1869), Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 403 (1865); Gray, Hand-list, iii. p. 119 (1871). Gelochelidon nilotica, Gray, Hand-list, iii. p. 119 (1871). Gelochelidon aranea, Gray, Hand-list, iii. p. 1)9 (1871). In this case also, in spite of its stout bill, the short and somewhat rounded lateral feathers of the tail, and the long hind toe, I do not think we can consistently allow a generic distinction without admitting anumber of indifferent genera. In its habits this bird appears to partake rather of the nature of the Sea-, than of the Marsh- or River- Terns, and although the shape of the tail is somewhat rounded as in Hydrochelidon, it must be remembered that A caspia has a similar tail, and that both these species have the strong and fully webbed feet of the Sea-Terns. On the whole it would seem advisable to avoid undue multiplication of genera by retaining this species amongst the Sterna. It is now generally admitted that the American S. aranea is identical with the European bird; and I can see no ground for considering Mr. Gould's Sterna macrotarsa from Australia to he specifically distinct. The range of the species is therefore from |
