Hydrochelidon hybrida, Ball.
984. :- H. indica, Steph. :- Jerdon's Birds of India, Vol. II, p. 837 ; Butler, Guzerat ; Stray Feathers, Vol. IV, p. 32 ; Deccan, Stray . Feathers, Vol. IX, p. 440 ; Murray's Vertebrate Zoology of Sind, p. 323.
THE SMALL MARSH TERN.
Length, 10 to 11 expanse, 29 ; wing, 8.5 to 9 ; tail, 3.5 ; tarsus, 1 ; bill at front, 1.12.
Bill lake-red ; irides brown ; feet dull red.
In summer plumage, the head and nape black ; lores and a broad line through the eyes, white ; back of neck, mantle, wings and tail, darkish-grey ; chin, cheeks, and sides of neck, very pale grey, deepening on the breast; abdomen dull black ; under tail-coverts white.
In winter plumage, the forehead and round the bill white; top of head and nape more or less black,, or dusky, edged with white ; the whole lower parts white ; bill dusky lake ; feet dingy lake.
The young have the head brownish, dusky on the occiput, and the usual mottled plumage above ; primaries dark ashy; the, bill dark brown, reddish at the base ; feet fleshy brown.
The Whiskered or Small Marsh Tern is not uncommon during. the cold season.
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