i88 LOST AND VANISHING BIRDS 



wings and longer tail, render identification easy, 

 and prevent any confusion with the better-known 

 species. Its note is the usual kree. The food of 

 this Tern apparently consists entirely of small fish, 

 which it catches by dropping down upon them 

 Gannet-like, or whilst supporting itself with rapidly 

 beating wings just above the water. 



The favourite breeding haunts of the Roseate 

 Tern are low, rocky islands with sand and shingle 

 beaches. No nest is apparently made in this 

 country ; but Brewer states that a little dry grass 

 and seaweed are collected by the birds breeding in 

 some American stations ; whilst M. Blanc assured 

 Mr. Whitaker that in Tunis, where this species has 

 only recently been discovered nesting, grass bents 

 occasionally line the hollow in which the egg is 

 deposited. There is considerable diversity of 

 opinion respecting the number of eggs laid by 

 this Tern. Most authorities agree in saying two 

 or three eggs form a clutch ; but Mr. Proud (from 

 his experience at the Welsh colony noticed above) 

 asserts that never more than two are laid ; whilst, 

 lastl}', M. Blanc in Tunis maintains that but one is 

 laid. They var}' in ground colour from creamy 

 buff to huffish brown, blotched, spotted, and clouded 

 with reddish brown and pale grey. As this Tern 



