276 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Common Tern, Sterna fluviatilis, Naumann. 

 In July, 1865, I shot three. 



Arctic Tern, Sterna macrura, Naumann. 



The Arctic Tern is very late in coming. According to the 

 boatmen, it does not arrive until May 12th, and leaves about 

 September 18th. I think, however, that I have seen them before 

 May. I shall never forget the spectacle of a vast drove, resting 

 upon a spit of sand, at Holy Island. This island is not one of 

 the Ferns : it is a few miles farther north, and a separate day 

 must be given up for it. It was the first time I had seen any 

 Terns not upon the wing. This very large flock quite whitened 

 the surface they were resting upon, and when they all flew up, 

 the effect was beautiful. I dare not venture to make even a 

 guess at their numbers. 



Sandwich Tern, Sterna cantiaca, Gm. 



Selby says the time of their arrival is about the middle of May 

 (Brit. Orn., ii., p. 4:66), but I saw plenty on the 26th of April. No 

 one can forget them who has once seen their exquisite forms. 

 They are very tame, and it is a great shame to shoot them. 



Roseate Tern, Sterna dougalli, Montagu. 



The Roseate Tern may exist at the Fern islands still in small 

 numbers, but it is a moribund species as far as English stations 

 are concerned. One — possibly the last — was shot at the islands 

 a few years ago, and has found a place in the Dyke Road Museum 

 at Brighton. I saw it when I was there a short time ago. I 

 have also seen another, which in all probability had been a native 

 of the Fern islands, in Mr Newby's collection at Stockton. It 

 was shot a good many years ago, at the mouth of the Tees. I 

 have also examined a nestling and some adult birds, at the late 

 Mr Selby's, which were obtained by that naturalist himself on the 

 islands. Selby's remark, that in his time the Roseate Tern 

 increased, is curious (Zool. Journ., ii., p. 462). His house was an 

 easy drive from the islands, and he availed himself of their 

 vicinity to study their avi-fauna well, as is very evident from the 

 references to them in his work. This makes his testimony of all 

 the more value. It is observations by men upon the spot wliich 

 are always so valuable. In the case of the Roseate Tern, it seems 



