Mr. George Tate on the Fame Islands. 241 



Fam. LxRiDiE, Leach. 



Genus Sterna, Linn. 



Sterna arctica, Temm. Arctic Tern. 



Differs from the Common Tern (Sterna Hirundo) in having 

 the breast and under parts of the same grey as the back ; bill 

 shorter, and generally wholly red; outer tail-feathers longer. 

 The largest colony occupies a considerable portion of the 

 Brownsman. 



Sterna Dougalli, Mont. Roseate Tern. 



Rather larger than the Arctic Tern ; the back of a paler grey ; 

 the breast and belly of a rich salmon colour, and the tail longer ; 

 breeds upon the Brownsman and one of the Wawmses. 



Sterna Cantiaca, Gmel. Sandwich Tern. 



Much larger than the two former, and was sometime ago very 

 numerous. 



Sterna Hirundo. Common Tern, or Sea Swallow. 



A few pairs of this species occasionally breed in company with 

 the Arctic Tern. 



Genus Larus, Linn. 



Lants fuscus, Linn. Lesser Black-backed Gull. 



Breeds in large numbers upon the Wawmses and Harcar Island. 

 The eggs are rich, and when hard-boiled, highly esteemed. 



Larus argentatus, Brunu. Herring Gull. 



A few individuals breed annually in company with L. fuscus; 

 they are easily distinguished by the paleness of the upper parts 

 of the body, their flesh-coloured legs and longer bill. 



Larus tridactylus. Kittiwake. 



Great numbers of this oceanic species breed in the clefts and 

 narrow ledges of the pinnacles and perpendicular rocks opposite. 

 They differ from the more typical Laridie in the structure of the 

 hind toe, which is merely a stump, and unprovided with a nail. 

 They arrive in May, and leave this coast as soon as the young 

 have quitted the nests, for warmer climes. 



In addition to the foregoing list, the Common Wild Duck, 

 Anas Boschas, the Teal, Querquedula Crecca, and the Wigeon, 

 Mareca Penelope, frequently visit the islands during winter in 

 stormy weather and severe frosts," 



ANCIENT HISTORY. 

 In the general description of the Islands, some notices were 

 necessarily given of its ancient history ; but as that history is 



