Gelochelidon nilotica, Tern egg

Sample Image
Description:

One of four Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica aranea) eggs (CBE2007-CBE2010) collected from Deveaux Bank near Rockville, South Carolina by Ernest Cutts in June 1962. He described the nest as "a few reed stems placed in slight indenture in sand on large sand bar at the mouth of the North Edisto River." Cutts also noted that "other species of terns, black skimmers, brown pelicans, laughing gulls and oystercatchers nest on this bank." The eggs had been freshly laid at the time of collection and identification was confirmed by observing the nearby birds.

Original set mark: 62.82, Cutts collection