CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 57 



Halifax, N.S. {Jo7ies.) Not uncommon, and breeding on Sable 

 island, N.S., August, 1899. {Macoinu) 



73. Aleutian Tern. 



Sterna aleutica Baird. 1869. 



The Aleutian tern arrives at St. Michael, Norton sound, by 

 June 1st and remains until the latter part of August. It is very 

 abundant in the vicinity, breeding plentifully on a small island 

 just at the north end of the " canal." {Tj{r?icr.) These birds 

 extend their range to the head of Norton bay and reach the 

 Siberian coast at Bering strait. They undoubtedly winter in the 

 vicinity of Kadiak island and the coast of the northern Pacific 

 adjacent thereto. {Nelson.) 



Breeding Notes.' — The arctic tern is so intimately associated 

 with the Aleutian tern, both in nesting habits and procuring food, 

 that the remarks for one will apply to the other. Their nests are 

 sometimes placed within two feet of each other, and apparently 

 without causing animosity between the species. {Turner.) This 

 species is strictly limited to the sea-coast, and breeds upon small 

 dry islands along the coast. The birds reach St. Michael from 

 May 20th to 30th and are found scattered along the coast in com- 

 pany with the arctic tern for a short time, but early in June they 

 gather about the islands where they nest. One of these islands 

 is about a mile from St. Michael, in the mouth of a tide- 

 channel known as the " canal." This island is about half a mile 

 across, rises about thirty feet from the beach in a sharp incline, 

 and has a rather level top covered with a thick mat of grass, moss 

 and other vegetation. The upland is dry, and here the birds breed, 

 laying their eggs directly upon the moss, with no attempt at lin- 

 ing, which would be entirely unnecessary there. About twenty 

 pairs were found on this island and about forty pairs on another 

 island about 18 miles to the eastward. {Nelson.) 



74. Least Tern. 



Sterna atitillarum (Less.) Coues. 1862. 

 Accidental on our Atlantic coast and the Great Lakes. 

 Apparently very rare around Newfoundland. {Reeks.) Very 

 j.are in Nova Scotia. One shot at Polly bog. {Do2Vfis.) Audubon 



