G40 STERNA HIRUNDO. 



the edge of lower mandible 2y\ ; tarsus \^ ; middle toe and 

 claw l-jV. 



Female. — The female differs externally from the male 

 only in being a little smaller. 



Length to end of tail 15 inches ; extent of "wings 30 ; 

 wing from flexure 11; bill 1-]%; tarsus -L| ; middle toe and 

 claw 1^. 



Habits. — The Common Tern frequents many parts of 

 the coasts of Britain and its islands during summer, and the 

 first half of autumn. It arrives in the south of England in 

 the beginning of May, colonies remaining there, while others 

 proceed along the shores, on both sides of the island. It is 

 stated to be less common on the eastern side, and more plenti- 

 ful on the southern. There are few extensive tracts of coast, 

 however, on which it is not to be met with. Montagu says 

 it is found in great abundance on part of the Sussex and 

 Kentish coasts, particularly about Winchelsea, and from 

 thence to Dungeness. Mr. Selby has found it breeding 

 abundantly on certain situations in the Solway and the Firth 

 of Clyde. I have met with it in great numbers in Barry, 

 South Uist, and the whole range of the Long Island. Messrs. 

 Baikie and Heddle note its arriving in Orkney annually in 

 May, in considerable numbers, and remaining till the end of 

 August. Dr. Edmondston alleges that it is the only Tern 

 that visits Shetland, while Mr. Dunn says he has never seen 

 any other Tern in Shetland or Orkney than the Arctic. It 

 visits most of the countries of Europe, from the Adriatic to 

 the Baltic; and has been found at Madeira, the Canary 

 Islands, Senegal, and the southern extremity of Africa. 



With us the Terns arrive in straggling flocks in the 

 beginning of May, and soon after betake themselves to their 

 breeding-places, Avhich arc sandy tracts, gravelly or pebbly 

 ridges on the shore, rocky ground, or sometimes low rocks. 

 In the latter kind of situation, they make an imperfect nest 

 of bits of grass or fragments of dry sea-weeds ; but on sand 

 they merely form a depression. The eggs, generally three, 

 sometimes two or four, are about an inch and two-thirds in 



