Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

We always think of the Terns as light colored birds, either white or pearly; but here we have one nearly black. Adults in summer having the head, neck and under parts black, with the back, wings and tail gray.

Nest.—Their nesting habits vary also as much as their color. Nests are of weeds and grass in the sloughs on the prairies. Two to four eggs are a dark greenish brown with black spots (1.35 × .95).

ALBATROSSES—Family Diomedeidæ.

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS.

81. Diomedea nigripes. 32 to 36 inches.

This bird is of a uniform sooty brown color shading into whitish at the base of the bill, which is rounded. It is noted for its extended flights, following vessels day after day without any apparent period of rest.

Nest.—They lay a single white egg upon the ground (4.00 × 2.40).

SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS.

82. Diomedea albatrus. 36 inches.