Vertebrates from the Barrier Island of Tamaulipas, MéxicoJohnston, Richard F.
Science
Vertebrates from the Barrier Island of Tamaulipas, México
Johnston, Richard F.
Vertebrates -- Mexico
=_Sterna forsteri_= Nuttall: Forster Tern.--Six were recorded near Camp
1 on July 7, and two were seen on the beach on July 6 and 10. The
Mexican Check-list (1950:108) does not cite records for Tamaulipas, but
the A.O.U. Check-list (1957:234) includes northern Tamaulipas within
the breeding range. Evidence suggesting breeding of the species in
extreme northern Veracruz is reported by Loetscher (1955:29) in the
form of a female specimen with "ovary greatly enlarged" taken seven
miles west of Tampico on May 30, 1947. In the same area the species
also seems to spend the summer as a nonbreeder, for Loetscher (_loc.
cit._) saw 20, nearly all in nonbreeding plumage, on July 1, 1952.
Specimens (4): [M], 38952, testis 4.5 mm., 150 gm., 8 P old; [M],
38955, testis 2 mm., 138 gm., 2 P old; [M], 38953, testis 5 × 1 mm.,
142 gm., 5 P old; [F], 38954, ova to 1 mm., 148 gm., 2 P old; Camp 1,
July 7.
=_Sterna albifrons antillarum_= (Lesson): Least Tern.--The status of
this species in Tamaulipas is uncertain, but there is reason to
believe that it breeds, at least in small numbers. We found the species
moderately common and generally flying about in twos, possibly mated
pairs, near both camps and on the beach. Breeding is suggested by the
large sizes of the testes of the two males collected and by the
presence of brood patches on a female taken on July 6, but we have no
direct evidence of nesting in Tamaulipas, and it should be noted that
this species is known to spend the summer in nonbreeding condition at
many places (A.O.U. Check-list, 1957:239). Loetscher (1955:30) suggests
that the species may be found breeding in Veracruz and mentions a
record of 15 seen at Miramar, Tamaulipas, on June 26, 1952. Dresser
(1866:45) found it to be "abundant" at the "Boca Grande" in summer.
On July 10, we saw flocks of 15 to 20 individuals flying along the
beach a few miles south of Washington Beach.
Specimens (4): [M], 38958, testis 11 × 4 mm. (right testis 5 × 4 mm.),
light fat, 45 gm., 6 P old; [M], 38959, testis 11 × 4 mm. (right testis
7 × 4 mm.), light fat, 45 gm., 6 P old; [F], 38956, ova to 2.5 mm.,
42.5 gm., 6 P old, brood patches refeathering; Camp 1, July 6. Female,
38957, ova to 1 mm., 44 gm., Camp 1, July 7. This last specimen had
essentially completed the autumnal molt into winter plumage, with only
a few feathers remaining ensheathed basally.
Our specimens are referable to _S. a. antillarum_, being paler dorsally
and slightly lighter gray on the hind-neck than specimens of _S. a.
athalassos_ from Kansas, with which they were compared.
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