658 



ARCTIC TERN. 

 5terna macrura (Nautnann). 



Bird of passage in spring and autumn. Rare inland. 



The first British information concerning this bird is 

 contained in Willughby's " Ornithology," under the heading 

 of " The Lesser Sea-Swallow." Mr. Johnson [of Brignall, 

 near Greta Bridge] thus briefly describes it : — " It hath the 

 Wings, Tail and swiftness of a Swallow ; a red Bill ; a black 

 crown ; brown legs ; a forked Tail six inches long." In 

 the colour of the legs he agrees with Gesner [Bill and Feet 

 of a pale dusky colour] but perchance the colour may vary with 

 age, or differ in the Sexes." (Will, " Orn." 1678, p. 353.)* 



Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote : — 



Sterna arctica. — Arctic Tern — On the coast ; not uncommon in 

 the spring near Sheffield, as I am informed by my friend J. Heppenstall ; 

 A. Strickland remarks, speaking of the Common and Arctic Terns, 

 " As far as I have observed, the latter of these is by far the most common 

 on this coast, at least in mature plumage, but the Common Tern is 

 occasionally found here, and at times proceeds inland, which I never 

 found the other to do." 



The present species, like the preceding one, is a visitant 

 in spring and autumn on its passage to and from its breeding 

 grounds, the most southerly of which on the east coast is 

 at the Fame Islands ; it is not very often observed at the 

 former period owing to its route lying some distance from 

 shore ; a few were seen off Redcar on 19th April 1879, and 

 small numbers occasionally occur at the Teesmouth early in 

 May ; on the return passage in autumn, however, when in 

 company with the young, it remains off the coast, feeding on 

 sprats, and consorting with the Common Tern, a few sometimes 

 lingering until October ; in 1879 a large flock was at the 

 Teesmouth on the 17th of that month, and two on the 24th 

 (Zool. 1879, P- 490) ; on 23rd October 1892, I walked near to 



* Willughby and Ray do not appear to have seen this bird. 



