Sterna frontalis, Gray. (Common Tern.)

On the Taupo plains, where there are thousands of sterile acres covered with manuka scrub, about five or six miles inland of the lake I observed two Terns, apparently of this species, hovering over the ground, although I found it difficult to imagine what they could find to attract them in such a barren locality. Probably they were in quest of lizards.

This species of Tern frequents the Taupo Lake, and so does Sterna antarctica.