CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 163 



success appears to be extremely doubtful, one fact at 

 present alone being certain, viz., that their attempts 

 to thin them down have hitherto been perfectly 

 unavailing. 



As to hazard a guess at anything approaching the 

 numbers that occasionally congregate together would 

 appear incredible to those that have never had an 

 opportunity of observing them, it will be sufficient to 

 state, that in favourable localities they often join in 

 flocks of several thousands. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in the 

 neighbourhood of Brighton in the spring of 1870. 



WHITE WING TERN. 



Case 206. 



The five Terns in the present case formed part of a 

 flock of seven that I met with on Hickling Broad. 



They were first observed hawking for flies over 

 the water in company with the Sand Martins, and, 

 having previously obtained as many as I required as 

 specimens, I had a good opportunity of watching their 

 habits. 



They appeared quite fearless, occasionally approach- 

 ing and hovering within a few feet of the boat ; though 

 the water was shallow, and small fry abundant, they 

 never attempted to capture a single fish, frequenting 

 only those parts of the Broad where the Sand Martins 

 were seen, both species taking their food in precisely 

 the same manner. 



Towards dusk, as I found the Martins were leavinsf, 

 I rapidly procured the Terns, the sixth falling dead 

 to a long shot in the middle of a reed-bed where it 



M 2 



