634 STERNA CANTIACA. 



and it subsists upon similar kinds of fish, the sand-launce and 

 young- sea-fish forming the principal supply, and upon which 

 it precipitates itself as they rise near to the surface of the 

 ocean. Its flight is strong and rapid, making a great advance 

 at each stroke of the pinions, and, except ^vhen engaged in 

 incubation, it is almost constantly on the "vving, uttering at 

 intervals a hoarse and grating cry, which can be hoard at a 

 very great distance, and gives notice of its approach long 

 before it is discoverable by the eye. If much disturbed by 

 being fired at, or if the eggs be repeatedly taken at the com- 

 mencement of the season, it deserts the station first selected, 

 and retires to some other place less liable to molestation. As 

 soon as the young birds become tolerably fledged, but before 

 they are altogether able to fly, they frequently take to the 

 water, swimming off to the smaller rocks, where they con- 

 tinue to be fed by the parents until capable of joining them 

 in their fishing excursions. The time of their arrival is about 

 the middle of May ; incubation commences in the first week 

 of June, and nearly the Avhole have again taken their depar- 

 ture for more southern latitudes by the end of September. 

 The eggs are three or four in number, for the reception o£ 

 which a shallow hole is scratched amongst the sea-campion 

 (Silene maritima), or other plants that may happen to grow 

 on the selected place. In size they are about equal to those 

 of the Golden Plover, and are usually of a cream or wood- 

 brown colour, blotched with dark brown and black, and with 

 other spots of a lighter shade appearing as it were beneath 

 the shell. The common varieties of them are either with 

 fewer spots and blotches upon a white ground, or of a deep 

 oil-green, with spots of a darker shade." On the southern 

 coasts of England, Avhere this species was first observed, it is 

 said to be of unfrequent occurrence, although it is supposed 

 to breed there. 



According to M. Temminck, it is very abundant in the 

 islands of North Holland, where it nestles in large flocks ; 

 and it has been met with in other parts of Europe. Mr. 

 Audubon, in May, 1832, found it on one of the Florida Keys, 

 where he obtained a considerable number, one of which, now 

 before me, so exactly resembles oin- bird in every particular, 



