vy

IT >

Vawd

Ya

rma leucopareia

tote

ae

l<

Mirvalwa

MOUSTACHE TERN.
Sterna leucopareia, Jatt
Viralva leu copareia, Steph.
L'Hirondelle-de-mer moustac.
For the knowledge of this species we are indebted to M. J. Natterer of Vienn
marshes of Hungary. It has also been seen by M. Temminck in C

The Moustache Tern, like its black- and white-winged brethren
marshes rather than the ocean.

a, who discovered it in the
apo d’Istria on the coast of Dalmatia.

» appears to prefer inland and extensive
Like the last-mentioned species it is almost confined to the
of the Continent. In Europe it is perhaps one of the rarest of its tribe, and although its h
known, we may reasonably conclude from its peculiar form that its general economy
other Viralves, or Marsh Terns.

eastern portions
abits are but little

is strictly similar to the

Its food consists of the winged insects inhabiting the marshes, to which are

added worms, snails, &c.
The sexes offer no perceptible difference in their plumage. The youn

g, says M. Temminck, have the top
of the. head of a reddish colour varied with brown ; the occiput, the region behind the eyes, and the orifice of
the ears of a blackish ash; the back, scapularies, secondaries, and quills brown in the middle, bordered and
terminated with yellowish brown; the tail-feathers blackish ash with the exception of the outer ones, which
are tipped with white; beak brown, reddish at the base; feet flesh colour.

According to M. Temminck’s description the adults are subject to considerable seasonal changes ; for he
informs us that in winter the top of the head, the occiput, and all the under parts are pure white; a
black spot is situated behind the eye; the back, rump, tail, and wings are of a clouded ash grey; the beak
and feet deep lake red ; the irides black ; and that in spring the whole crown of the head is deep black, and
the under surface clouded with blackish ash, becoming lighter towards the throat, and leaving the sides of
the face and ear-coverts pure white, whence it has received the appellation of moustache.

The Plate represents a male of the natural size in its full spring dress.

eS

)

DSO

“

Te.

SO) 4

Xv

_ ~~
7)

Oa

a

»):

ye

hag

ty

my

) “a

ri
if

oD.

wr Dp

Y SENED) Sak

>

SF

PIL

ie