Gelochelidon nilotica, Tern egg

Sample Image
Description:

One of four Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica aranea) eggs (CBE2019-CBE2022) collected from Deveaux Bank near Rockville, South Carolina by Ernest Cutts in June 1962. Cutts described the nest as made or "reed stems and placed in slight indenture in sand on large sand bar at the mouth of the North Edisto River." Cutts also observed that "other species of terns, laughing gulls, black skimmers, brown pelicans, willets 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: 62.83, Cutts collection