202 LOST AND VANISHING BIRDS 



more than it is now, an abnormal visitor on 

 migration. 



Passing allusion might here also be made to 

 Baillon's Crake (Crex bailloni), and the Spotted 

 Crake (Crex porzana), the iormer of which may 

 just possibly breed within our area; whilst the 

 latter, although far less common than formerly, is 

 still a regular summer visitor to various parts of the 

 kingdom. Drainage and enclosure of swamps and 

 fens lias curtailed the haunts of these birds, and we 

 express the hope that both species may be shown 

 consideration by sportsmen and collectors. 



We now have to appeal on behalf of that ex- 

 quisite little bird, the Lesser Tern (Sterna minuta). 

 It is a species that has sadly decreased in numbers 

 during the last twenty years. From some localities 

 it has entirely disappeared; from others it is 

 rapidly vanishing. To a great extent the exter- 

 mination of this species is due to the bird's habit of 

 frequenting the coast rather than islands for nesting 

 purposes. This places it absolutely at the mercy of 

 every wandering rascal. Haunts of the Lesser Tern 

 on the Lincolnshire coast that I knew years ago 

 contained scores of pairs, are now deserted, and I 

 attribute this to the rapid rise of certain watering- 

 places in their vicinit}'. Season after season the 



