126 NATURAL HISTORY IBirds, 



ash-colour ; the wings are long, and reach near the point of 

 the tail, which is very much forked ; the feet are small, and 

 of a fine red colour. 



These build in vast numbers in the uninhabited isles of Ork- 

 ney, and in the holms of the lakes ; are seen in vast numbers 

 all along the sea-side, and edges of the lakes, fishing ; they 

 hover a little over the water, and suddenly dart down on any 

 small fish they observe. This bird may be said to be the arc- 

 tic gull's provider, for no sooner does it catch a small fish but 

 it utters a particular cry, which the other (who is commonly 

 on the watch) no sooner hears, but he immediately pursues 

 and forces it to drop the prey, which he as nimbly catches ; 

 often too does he intercept the tern while it carries home, for 

 a long way, a small provision in its bill for its family, but 

 this merciless invader seizes all, and renders the longest jour- 

 neys often useless. These birds come about the same time, 

 and withdraw together, but whether their place of retirement 

 is the same I am unacquainted. 



This species is furnished with long wings to perform long 

 and quick flights, with a forked tail to guide its way, and to 

 assist it in these sudden motions it is obliged to make in search- 

 ing for and seizing its prey. This use of the tail in directing 

 the motions of a bird is pointed out by Mr Ray, in the fol- 

 lowing words : — " In those that have forked tails, autopsy 

 *' convinceth us that it hath that use. For it is manifest to 

 *' sight, that the forked tail kite, by turning her train side- 

 " ways, elevating one horn and depressing the other, turns 

 " her whole body ; and doubtless the tail hath the same use 



