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Show 656 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNINA*. [June 20, Sterna regia, Gambel, Proc. Phil. Acad. iv. 1848, p. 228 ; Lawr. B. N. Am. p. 859 (185H) ; Coues, Key, p. 319 (1872), B. N.W. Am. p. 669 (1874). Thalasseus regius, Gamb. J. Phil. Ac. i. 1849, p. 228; Coues, Proc. Phil. Ac. 1862, p. 539. Phatusa regia, Bp. Compt. Rend. p. 772 (1856). Thalasseus galericulatus, Bias. J. f. Orn. 1866, p. 82. Thalasseus cayennensis, Gray, Hand-list, iii. p. 120 (1871) ; Shelley, Ibis, 1872, p. 293. Sterna bergii, Irby, Orn. Str. Gib. p. 209 (1875) (coll. Lilford ; sp. examined, H. S.). I fully agree with Messrs. Sclater & Salvin that Buffon's plate on which Sterna maxima of Boddaert is founded, represents this species. Mr. Salvin and myself have also carefully compared Lichtenstein's type specimen of S.galericulata with our respective series of American specimens, and find them identical; I have also compared a good many specimens from the Gold Coast, all in winter plumage, and mostly obtained in the early spring. The specimen in Lord Lilford's collection, which was obtained by the late M. Favier in the Straits of Gibraltar, and was purchased from his successor by Col. Irby, undoubtedly belongs to this species. Some North-American examples are a trifle more robust in the bill than either Brazilian or African specimens; but there is no constant difference, even in this particular. On examining Lichtenstein's type of A galericulata, the outer primaries proved to be partially in the sheath, and about two inches shorter than their natural length, explaining the original description of "the tail being 2 inches longer than the wings" which had previously been a great puzzle, there being no Tern of this size known in which the proportions were such. This species has a somewhat wide range, as it is found on the Pacific coast from California to Peru, whilst on the Atlantic sea-board it has once occurred as far north r.s Massachusetts ; it breeds on the coast of Florida, and on some of the cays of the West-Indian Islands, and visits South Brazil. Its occurrence on the African coast has already been noticed; but at present there is no record of its breeding there. STERNA CASPIA, Pall. Sterna caspia, Pall. Nov. Comm. Petrop. xiv. p. 582 (1769-70); Pall. Zoog. Rosso-As. p. 332 (1811). Sterna tschegrava, Lepechin, Nov. Comm. Petrop. xiv. p. 500 (1769-70). Sterna caspica, Sparrm. Mus. Carl. ii. fasc. 3, no. 72(1788); Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 337 (mouth of Zambesi, breeding). Sterna meqarhynchos, Meyer & W . Tasch. deutsch. Vog. ii. p, 457 (1810). Thalasseus caspius, Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 563; Coues, Proc. Phil. Acad. 1862, p. 538, aud T. imperator in text; Grav, Hand-list, iii. p. 120 (1871). Hydroprogne caspica, Kaup, Sk. Entw. eur. Thier. p. 91 (1829). |
