Range.--Temperate North America on the east coast, breeding from New
England to the Gulf.

These are the most beautiful birds, having a delicate pink blush on the
under parts during the breeding season; the tail is very long and deeply
forked, the outer feathers being over five inches longer than the middle
ones; the bill is red with a black tip. They nest in large colonies on
the islands from Southern New England southward, placing the nests in
the short grass, generally without any lining. They lay two or three
eggs which are indistinguishable from the two preceding species.

73. ALEUTIAN TERN. _Sterna aleutica._

Range.--Found in summer in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

South in winter to Japan. This handsome Tern is of the form and size of
the Common Tern, but has a darker mantle, and the forehead is white,
leaving a black line from the bill to the eye. They nest on islands off
the coast of Alaska, sometimes together with the Arctic Tern. The eggs
are laid upon the bare ground or moss, and are similar to the Arctic
Terns, but average narrower. They are two or three in number and are
laid in June and July. Size 1.70 x 1.15. Data.--Stuart Is., Alaska.
Three eggs in a slight hollow in the moss.

[Illustration 056: Arctic Tern. Roseate Tern. Aleutian Tern.]
[Illustration: Grayish or Brownish.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 55

74. LEAST TERN. _Sterna antillarum._

Range.--From northern South America to southern New England, Dakota and
California, breeding locally throughout its range.

These little Sea Swallows are the smallest of the Terns, being but 9
inches in length. They have a yellow bill with a black tip, a black
crown and nape, and white forehead. Although small, these little Terns
lose none of the grace and beauty of action of their larger relatives.
They nest in colonies on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, placing
their eggs upon the bare sand, where they are sometimes very difficult
to see among the shells and pebbles. They are of a grayish or buffy
color spotted with umber and lilac. They number two, three and rarely
four, and are laid in May and June. Size 1.25 x .95. Data.--DeSota
Beach, Fla., May 20, 1884. Three eggs laid on the sandy beach.
Collector, Chas. Graham.

75. SOOTY TERN. _Sterna fuscata._

Range.--Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States. This
species measures 17 inches in length; it has a brownish black mantle,
wings and tail, except the outer