LARID.'^:. 563 



tlieu suddenly dart straiglit upon it. At otlier 

 times, they sweep the surface of the water, seizing 

 with their bill any objects that may be drifting 

 about on th6 sea. They float with buoyancy on the 

 waves, but rarely, if ever, exercise their power of 

 swimming. When seeking rest, they resort to the 

 sandy beach, or they may be seen on shallow reefs, 

 rocks, or even trees. Fishes form their chief sub- 

 sistence, though they also feed on various kinds of 

 marine animals, or on any oflal cast upon the shore. 

 The larger species sometimes destroy the young 

 and eggs of other sea-birds. Their eggs are from 

 two to four in number, and are usually deposited in 

 a slight hollow on insulated rocks. The hatching of 

 the eggs is mostly left to the influence of the sun, 

 the parent only sitting on them at night and during 

 cold weather ; yet the young, when hatched, are 

 most carefully fed, and protected from the attacks 

 of other birds. 



The Terns are distinguished from the Gulls by 

 their long, straight, and pointed bills, small slender 

 feet, very long wings, and forked tails ; from the 

 latter character, and incessant activity on the wing, 

 they are frequently known as Sea Swallows. 



The type of this race, — 



The Common Tern (Sterna Hirundo), is smaller than 

 any of the ordinary Gulls. It is more lively and active 

 in its movements, and does not generally fly in circles, 

 but "rambles"' through the air, frequently diverging to 

 the right or left, now skimming the surface of the sea, 

 and anon sweeping aloft to a considerable elevation. Its 

 mode of taking its prey is totally different from that of 

 ;uiy of the Gulls. Very frequently a suigle Tern may be 

 observed pursuing its course in a line with the breakers 

 on a sandy shore, at the distance of from fifty to a hundred 

 yards from the Ijeach. Its beak is pointed downwards, 

 and the bird is evidently on the look-out. Suddenly it 

 descends perpendicularly into the water, making a per- 

 ceptible splash, but scarcely disappearing. In an instant 

 it has recovered the use of its wings, and ascends again, 



