File:The birds of Europe (1837) (14564072568).jpg

Identifier: birdsEuropeVGoul (find matches)
Title: The birds of Europe
Year: 1837 (1830s)
Authors: Gould, John, 1804-1881
Subjects: Pictorial works Birds
Publisher: London, Printed by R. and J.E. Taylor, pub. by the author
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
ving us after the breeding-season is over, and returning the following spring ; a circumstance we should consider to take place also inthe northern portions of Europe. Although the young of all the Terns differ in colour from the adult, bird,the contrast of the present species is the most remarkable, the colouring of the two being almost diametricallyopposite ; they notwithstanding soon assume the adult state of colouring, and in about eight months gaintheir mature livery. The males and females are alike in plumage. The adult birds have the beak, head, neck and breast black, becoming paler on the abdomen; the wholeof the upper surface and tail of a fuliginous grey; vent and under tail-coverts white ; legs dusky red; iridesbrown. The young have the forehead, cheeks, neck, and whole of the under surface of a pure white; thetop of the head and occiput greyish brown; the back, wings and tail grey, intermingled with brown. We have figured an adult and a young bird of the natural size. \.v\
Text Appearing After Image:
fc c I § ill^ SI WHITE-WINGED TERN. Sterna leucoptera, Linn.Viralva leucoptera, Leach.LHirondelle-de-mer leucoptere. The White-winged Tern would appear to represent in the southern districts of Europe the Common BlackTern of the more northern latitudes, frequenting, like that bird, inland lakes and marshes, as well as the lowflat borders of the sea. We are informed that it inhabits all the bays and gulfs along the shores of theMediterranean, and that it is very common in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar : it visits also, according toM. Temminck, the lakes and marshes of Italy, such as Lucarno, Lugano, Como, &c, but never extendsits journey to Holland or the parallel latitudes. In habits, manners, size, and structure, it strictly resembles the Black Tern ; the pure whiteness of its tail,and the greyish white of its wing, will, however, serve at once to distinguish it from that species. Its food consists of insects, particularly dragon flies, moths, and other winged and aquatic insec

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