Hooded tern

Tern \Tern\ (t[~e]rn), n. [Dan. terne, t[ae]rne; akin to Sw.
   t[aum]rna, Icel. [thorn]erna; cf. NL. sterna.] (Zool.)
   Any one of numerous species of long-winged aquatic birds,
   allied to the gulls, and belonging to {Sterna} and various
   allied genera.
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   Note: Terns differ from gulls chiefly in their graceful form,
         in their weaker and more slender bills and feet, and
         their longer and more pointed wings. The tail is
         usually forked. Most of the species are white with the
         back and wings pale gray, and often with a dark head.
         The common European tern ({Sterna hirundo}) is found
         also in Asia and America. Among other American species
         are the arctic tern ({Sterna paradisaea}), the roseate
         tern ({Sterna Dougalli}), the least tern ({Sterna
         Antillarum}), the royal tern ({Sterna maxima}), and the
         sooty tern ({Sterna fuliginosa}).
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   {Hooded tern}. See {Fairy bird}, under {Fairy}.

   {Marsh tern}, any tern of the genus {Hydrochelidon}. They
      frequent marshes and rivers and feed largely upon insects.
      

   {River tern}, any tern belonging to {Seena} or allied genera
      which frequent rivers.

   {Sea tern}, any tern of the genus {Thalasseus}. Terns of this
      genus have very long, pointed wings, and chiefly frequent
      seas and the mouths of large rivers.
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Fairy \Fair"y\, a.
   1. Of or pertaining to fairies.
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   2. Given by fairies; as, fairy money. --Dryden.
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   {Fairy bird} (Zool.), the Euoropean little tern ({Sterna
      minuta}); -- called also {sea swallow}, and {hooded tern}.
      

   {Fairy bluebird}. (Zool.) See under {Bluebird}.

   {Fairy martin} (Zool.), a European swallow ({Hirrundo ariel})
      that builds flask-shaped nests of mud on overhanging
      cliffs.

   {Fairy rings} or {Fairy circles}, the circles formed in
      grassy lawns by certain fungi (as {Marasmius Oreades}),
      formerly supposed to be caused by fairies in their
      midnight dances; also, the mushrooms themselves. Such
      circles may have diameters larger than three meters.

   {Fairy shrimp} (Zool.), a European fresh-water phyllopod
      crustacean ({Chirocephalus diaphanus}); -- so called from
      its delicate colors, transparency, and graceful motions.
      The name is sometimes applied to similar American species.
      

   {Fairy stone} (Paleon.), an echinite.
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