70. Sterna hirundo. 15 in.

Mantle darker than that of any of the similar terns; washed with grayish below; bill and feet bright red, the former shading to black on the tip; tail less deeply forked (3.1 in.); edge of outer primaries and outer tail feathers, blackish. Changes in winter correspond to those of the last. Young birds have the feathers on the back margined with brownish.

Note. - An energetic "tee-arr, tee-arr."

Nest. - The three eggs are laid in a slight hollow on the sandy beach.

Range. - Breeds locally from the Gulf States to Greenland and Hudson Bay; winters south of the U. S.