'2o4< Pictures of Bird Life 



other times they will lay on tlie heaps of cut reeds at the 

 edffes of the channels. 



On returning to their nests, wliich they will do when 

 sitting while you are watching them from a \'ery short 

 distance, they have a pretty way of remaining for a second 

 or two witli their fully expanded wings in an upright 

 position before finally closing them. In this attitude they 

 have a particularly dainty and fascinating appearance. They 

 appear to feed their young on dragon-flies, which naturally, 

 in sucli an expanse of marsh, are exceedingly abundant. 



Black Terns are regular JMarsh-terns, and nest habitually 

 in fresh-water situations ; but I must say I was surprised 

 to find the Common Tern breeding in such a locality, 

 looking upon it as a maritime species. It seems, however, 

 that this Tern, while nesting in many places round our 

 coasts, and on islands off the coast, is also addicted in 

 some parts to nesting on the shores of fresh-water lochs ; 

 and this appears to be its more usual habit in Ireland, 

 where it is common. On the island of Texel I lune seen 

 their nests on short turf in company Avith Oyster-catchers'. I 

 hiive even fancied that their eggs in sucli a place are more 

 inclined to a greenish coloration than when laid on shingle. 

 AVhile waiting to photograph a Common Tern at the 

 extremity of a long floating island, a Redshank pitched close 

 to the nest. Although engaged in changing a plate at the 

 moment, I managed to get it in in time to make an 

 exposure ; but before it was possible to repeat it, the Tern 

 Hew up and hustled the Redshank away. 



