242 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Apart from its size, for this is our smallest tern, it may be 

 recognised by its broad, semi-lunar white forehead. The 

 white extends to above the eye, and is emphasised by a black 

 streak from the bill through the eye. The legs and bill are 

 yellow, the latter with the tip black. Its wide wing-stretch 

 magnifies its size, and its wing-beats are quicker than those ot 

 other terns ; it beats above the waves at a height of from ten 

 to fifteen feet, with head drooped, scanning the surface. At 

 intervals it checks its pace, poises with wings uplifted and 

 vibrating, and tail depressed and expanded. Its body is held 

 well upright, and as its streamers are short, its spread tail is 

 almost triangular. Suddenly wing movement ceases, and as 

 the bird drops it reverses, and with wings almost closed bores 

 through the air with a half turn, throwing up a shower of spray 

 as it strikes. Instantly it reappears, and with a few strong 

 strokes mounts again, but at times it checks its descent and 

 rises without touching the water. By no means every dive 

 brings reward ; one bird I watched averaged a catch to every 

 six dives. Complete submersion is common, but the bird is up 

 again before the splash has subsided. Small crustaceans as 

 well as fish are eaten, and these, even when in shallow tide- 

 pools, are obtained by diving, the bird checking the impetus of 

 descent with skill. I have seen many fishing in tidal gutters on 

 " slob " land, the snowy plumage distinct against the dark 

 green of the sea-grass. The call — pee-e-err — is neither so harsh 

 nor sustained as that of the Common Tern, but the bird is 

 very loquacious on the ^ing. It has, in addition, a short 

 zit, zit, and a long tirrue^ tirrue, tirrue. On migration 

 the Little Tern often visits inland waters, fishing occasionally, 

 but usually swooping for flying insects after the manner of the 

 Black Tern ; young birds are not uncommon on the Cheshire 

 meres in September. 



The nesting colonies are small and the nests seldom close 

 together ; favourite sites are shingle banks or stretches of sand 



