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Show 658 MR. H. SAUNDERS ON THE STERNINA. [June 20, Sterna velox, Riipp. Atlas, p. 21, t. 13 (1826), Red Sea (type Kt Frankfort examined, H. S.) ; Thomson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, in. p. 226 (1847), "between Dublin and Howth, end of Dec. 1846, in full breeding-plumage" (!) ; Swinhoe, Ibis, 1860, p. 429, 1861, p. 345, 1866, p. 134 ; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 339 (breeding at mouth of Zambesi). Sterna pelecanoides, King, Surv. Int. Austr. ii. p. 422 (1826). Sterna longirostris, Lesson, Traite d'Orn. p. 621 (1831); Pucheran, Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 635; Boie, Isis, 1844, p. 181. Pelecanopus pelecanoides, Wagler, Isis, 1832, pp. 277 & 1225, type of Pelecanopus. " Thalasseus pelecanoides, Gould, B. Austr. vii. pl. 23 (1848) ; Gray, Gen. Birds, iii. p. 658 ; Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 422. Thalasseus poliocercus, Gould, B. Austr. vii. pl. 24 (1848), Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 396 (1865). Sterna rectirostris, Peale, Zool. U.S. Expl. Exped. p. 281 (1848). Sylochelidon polyocerca, G. R. Gray, List of Anseres, Brit. Mus. p. 175. Sterna nova-hollandia (Mus. Paris.), Pucheran, Rev. Zool. 1850, p. 545 (type in Paris Mus. examined, H. S.) Pelecanopus velox, P. bergii, et P. poliocercus, Bonap. Compt. Rend. xiii. p. 772 (1856). Sterna poliocerca, Schlegel, M . P.-Bas, Sterna, p. 12 (1863) ; G. 11. Gray, Ibis, 1862, p. 249. Thalasseus cristatus, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 329; Jerdon, B. of India, iii. p. 842 (1864) ; Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 394 (1865). Thalasseus bergii, Bias. J. f. Orn. 1866, p. 81. " Phatusa astrolaba, Bp." in Paris Mus. from Tonga-tabu, Voy. of Quoy & Gaimard. Another specimen so marked = S. frontalis- H. S. The distinguishing character of this large Sea-Tern is the white band of feathers across the base of the bill. In the adult plumage, and even in winter plumage, there is no other species of its size in which the mantle and tail are of so dark a grey ; but it must be admitted that between extreme individuals from different localities there is a considerable difference in intensity of coloration. In a series, however, they blend so gradually as to make it impossible to draw a line; whilst with regard to the smaller race, which has received the name of S. poliocerca, there are similar imperceptible gradations in size. The types, of S. bergii from the Cape of Good Hope and of S. velox from the Red Sea, are identical in size and colour, and are not perceptibly lighter in colour than " S. pelecanoides;" but in Madagascar specimens, and also in some from Damara-land, the mantle is of a lighter shade. Locality does not assist in separating them ; for it is clear that the light- and the dark-backed birds cross each other's line at Madagascar. From the Cape of Good Hope and from the Red Sea (with the exception of Madagascar), throughout the Indian Seas, Ceylon, the Malay archipelago, the China seas, down to Australia and' the Fiji |
