Syst. Nat. i. p. 605; Hume, Str. F. iv. p. 477 ; Saunders, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 666 ; Dresser, B. Eur. viii. p. 307, pl.; Legge, Birds Ceylon, p. 1037; Murray, Vert. Zool., Sind, p. 326; Oates, B. Br. Burm. ii. p. 432. Onychoprion fuliginosus, Salvad, Ucc. Born. p. 373. Haliplana fuliginosa, Dav. et Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 528. -
The Sooty Tern.
Forehead and a streak from the base of the bill to the eye white; sides of .the face, chin, throat, neck in front, breast and entire under parts white; top of head, nape, neck behind, back, scapulars and wings sooty black; under wing coverts white; tail forked, external feathers on each side white on their outer web, rest are white at the base ; legs and feet black; irides brown; web of outer side of mid-toe reaches to the root of the claw.
Length. - 16.5 to 17.5 inches; wing 10.5 to 11.8; tail 6.9 to 7.5 ; tarsus 0.95 to 1; bill at gape 2.o to 2.4; bill at front 1.6 to 1.7.
Hab. - Sind, Mekran Coast, Persian Gulf (Bushire), the Concan (Bombay), Malabar Coast and Ceylon. Breeds on the Laccadive Islands during January and February.
