THE SANDWICH TERN IN " DEE 85 



to whom I am therefore much indebted, or jointly by him 

 and Mr Arthur G. Davidson or myself. 



In the autumn of 1907, small parties or single birds were 

 observed from 14th September to 5th October; in 1908, from 

 20th August to 27th September; and in 1910, from 31st 

 August to 3rd September. In the spring of 1908, similar 

 records relate to observations on 3rd and 13th May, and an 

 adult was seen on 7th July; in 1909, on 29th May and 6th 

 June; in 1910, on 5th and 14th May, and an egg found on 

 nth June; in 191 1, one bird on 5th May. 



These data will serve to show that the status of the 

 Sandwich Tern in the " Dee " area is considerably different 

 from what seems indicated by the few previously published 

 notes on the subject already referred to. 



With regard to the nest and egg found on the Sands of 

 Forvie on 1 ith June 1910, some further details may be given. 

 It was in the midst of a large nesting-colony of Common 

 Terns and Black-headed Gulls, and on the date mentioned 

 I came on the nest by chance. I showed it to Mr Davidson 

 later in the day, and we of course left it undisturbed, 

 contenting ourselves with a careful examination. But when 

 Mr Davidson visited the place some days later the egg had 

 gone, and no more evidence was obtained that summer. We 

 left the record unpublished, in the hope that we should learn 

 more in 191 1. But in that year also no further sign of birds 

 or nests was discovered at Forvie. 



The birds, if not in very close attendance, might well have 

 eluded observation among the screaming cloud of other species 

 overhead, but in any case too much importance need not be 

 attached to their absence when incubation had not begun. 

 The record rests entirely on the identity of the egg, but of 

 this I think there can be no doubt. 



This nest, if such it could be called, consisted merely of a 

 very few pieces of plant stems, and was on the bare sand in 

 a hollow between two hummocks, agreeing entirely with the 

 habits of Sterna cantiaca. The egg appeared to me to be a 

 characteristic specimen of the creamy type, and it approxi- 

 mated to the average dimensions. 



