o 



14 LONG-WIXGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



the place he noticed flocks of Terns converging from various parts of the ocean to a 

 spot apparently about a mile in front of him, and toward which he proceeded; and on 

 surmounting a low ridge tlie whole scene was disclosed. A gradual incline of a quarter 

 of a mile terminated in a plain of ten or fifteen acres in extent, which was literally 

 covered with these birds. This plain was surrounded by low mountains, except 

 toward the side on wliich he stood. Xo description could convey an adequate idea 

 of the effect produced by the thousands upon thousands of these wild sea-birds, hover- 

 ing and screaming over this arid cinder-bed — the eggs and the young being scattered 

 so thickly on the ground that in some instances it was impossible to avoid treading 

 upon them. During the short walk down the slope, large flocks of parent birds 

 hovered over their heads, and salvited the party Avith plaintive cries. On arriving 

 within the precinct of the breeding-grounds the numbers of the birds increased. Large 

 flocks were arriving in endless succession from seaward ; others rose in clouds from 

 the ground, and joining them, the whole assemblage wheeled around until he was 

 almost made giddy by their gyrations. He sat down on a lump of cinder; and the 

 birds l)eing at length convinced that he was not there with hostile [)iirposes, went on 

 with their ordinary routine of incubation. There were young of all sizes, from the 

 little callow nestlings, just hatched, to the newly fledged birds that fluttered and 

 crawled like young Pigeons. There were also numbers of eggs exposed on the bare 

 ground. In most instances the old birds sat, each on its own solitary treasure, hissing 

 defiance as he approached, and fighting manfully if he attempted to remove it. The 

 3*oung Avere of a very light sooty color, both above and beneath, the ends of most of 

 the feathers having a white spot the size of a pea, which gives to them a speckled 

 appearance. Captain Sperling was informed that all these Terns leave the Island of 

 Ascension as soon as the young can fly. 



Colonel Grayson met with this species (variety crissalis) in the vicinity of the Tres 

 Marias Islands, and also found it breeding on the small island of Isabella, near San 

 Bias. It was not observed near the main shore, but usually far out to sea. It seemed 

 to be semi-nocturnal in its habits, and to be a constant resident in the localities cited. 



Examples from the Pacific, taken in the Wilkes Exploring Expedition, are identical 

 with those found on the coast of the United States. This species was observed by 

 ^Ir. Peale throughout all the islands of the Dangerous Archipelago, and on most of 

 the coral islands of the Pacific. At Honden Island it was found in great numbers 

 on the 21st of August, when the young were just able to fly. The nests were mere 

 cavities in the coral sand, under low bushes. Their number was so great, and they 

 were so near each other, that great care was required in Avalking to avoid crushing 

 both young and old birds. 



Oct. 7, 1839, Dr. I'ickering visited Cora Island, an annular coral reef, inundated at 

 high Avater, Avith the exception of tAvo banks, one of Avhich Avas covered by a grove of 

 trees. Great numbers of birds Avere flying over and about the grove. The Terns, 

 and especially Sterna fuliginosa, came out from under the Ioav branches in vast 

 numbers. There Avere three species of Sterna, one of Fnujata, and three of Sula 

 observed on this island ; and nearly all of them Avere engaged in rearing their young. 

 The Sooty Tern Avas present in larger numbers than all the others combined, its 

 breeding-place occupying the Aveather side of the grove, or that most exposed to the 

 sea. Here the. trees presented a dense groAvth of branches, reaching almost to the 

 ground ; and beneath these the birds were obliged to force themselves out before they 

 could take to flight. The eggs of this species Avere laid on the ground, luider the thicket, 

 Avithout any nest, but Avith some regularity, and at a distance of about tAvo and a half 

 feet apart. In tAVO instances only, out of at least a thousand nests examined, were 



