LARID.E — THE GULLS AND TERNS — IIYDROCnELIDON. 321 



districts in France and Switzerland. In its migrations it passes through Italy, Corfu, 

 Crete, Sicily, Asia Minor, and is found in the regions of the Caucasus. It is to be 

 met with during the Avinter in IVIadeira and on the African coast of the Mediter- 

 ranean. Kalni — as quoted by Pennant — saw flocks of hundreds of this species in 

 the Atlantic Ocean, midway between England and America. 



Mr. C. A. Wright, in a paper on the birds of Malta, states in reference to this 

 species that in July, 1870, a large number of these Terns visited the harbors of Malta, 

 and remained until September; but none of them were in their summer plumage. 

 It was exceedingly interesting to watch their light and rapid movements, as they 

 dropped suddenly from a great height, splashing the water like a falling stone, or 

 coursed through the air, as if imitating the Swallow. One of these Terns, perched 

 on a floating cork, allowed the boat to drift down toward it, and did not move until 

 almost near enough to be touched with the hand. Occasionally one would exchange 

 calls with a passing companion ; the note was a shrill scream. 



Mr. Salvin, late in April, met with a large flock of this species on the coast of Hon- 

 duras, and obtained several examples. Mr. Grayson found it at Mazatlan, where it 

 makes its appearance in September and October, and where it remains through the 

 winter months. Mr. Dresser mentions it as being common at the mouth of the Itio 

 Grande during the summer ; but he noticed none at Galveston. At the lagoons near 

 Matamoras he often saw twenty or thirty of these birds at one time. 



Mr. jST. B. Moore writes from Sarasota Bay, Fla., that he was surprised to see, on 

 the last day of June, 1873, two groups of this species, of five each, in a strong gale 

 from the southwest, scudding toward the south. They were in their young plumage, 

 and passed quite near him. After this none were seen until August 6. He inferred 

 that some breed in that neighborhood. 



This species is present on the coast of the Carolinas, for a few days only, after 

 the second week in May, reappearing in August. 



Captain Blakiston obtained a specimen of this bird on the Saskatchewan ; Mr. 

 Bernard Ross met with it on the Mackenzie, and Mr. INIurray procured it on Hud- 

 son's Bay. Richardson states that it is common in the interior of the Fur Countries, 

 on the borders of lakes. It breeds chiefly in the swamps, and is said to feed princi- 

 pally upon winged insects. 



Giraud mentions the fact that the young of this species were found by jVIr. Brasher 

 in the extensive meadows between the Passaic and the Hackensack rivers, in August, 

 1843, but neither its nest nor its eggs have ever been detected ; yet Giraud Avas con- 

 fident that a few of these birds breed along the rush-covered margins of the streams 

 and ponds of Long Island. This Tern, he adds, is very strong and muscular, and pos- 

 sesses great power of wing. It is very active in pursuit of its prey, but displays the 

 timidity of disposition peculiar to its race, except Avhen defending its young. 



This bird is of occasional occurrence in Massachusetts after the breeding season. 

 Mr. George 0. Welch has procured specimens in the marshes near the sea, in Lynn, 

 late in the fall ; and j\Ir. Maynard has obtained specimens at Ipswich. Mr. William 

 Brewster informs me that one was jjrocured in his presence at Rye Beach, N. H. ; 

 and it has also been taken at Nantucket. 



Dr. Cooper states that this Tern migrates through the interior valleys of Cali- 

 fornia, and that some probably breed about the marshes within the State, especially 

 in the mountains, as he met Avith it on the head-waters of the INIohave River as late 

 as the 7th of June. It is also common along clear Avater throughout the Rocky 

 Mountains, especially in the cooler months, AA'here it fishes pretty much in the same 

 manner as the larger Terns, also feeding on insects, in pursuit of Avhich it flies in the 



VOL. II. — 41 



