Bird Life in Dutch Marshes 



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AvocET {Rcciirvirus/ja avocctta) fkeuing. 



The young Black Terns are adepts at paddling along 

 the surface of the water, when disturbed, in the endeavour 

 to escape. They are clad in down of a rich mottled 

 chocolate colour, and the hare patch of skin round the 

 eyes is pale blue. The young of the Conniion Tern are 

 also difficult to photograph for the same reason : they 

 are most persistent in tlicir attempts to swim away from 

 any intruder. Very mucli larger than the Black Terns, and 

 of a dirty yellow mottled colour ; they very much resemble 

 young Black-headed Gulls in general appearance. 



A colony of Black-headed (4ulls is a most interesting 

 and picturesque sight. The birds themselves are perfect 

 pictures of grace and beauty. Their black, or rather dark 

 brown, hoods, red legs and feet, and snowy plumage, with 

 jet-black primaries, are in such striking contrast, and their 

 easy and buoyant flight is a treat to behold, as the birds 

 float past and poise overhead, each one scolding its hardest. 



