TERNS 289 



be found nesting on the pebbly shores of many 

 inland lochs and islands, where its graceful evolu- 

 tions on the wing, and its headlong plunges into 

 the water when engaged in fishing, aflford constant 

 diversion to the observant angler. 



In Ireland, the Common Tern, though numerous 

 in summer, is rather local, breeding both on salt 

 and fresh water, often in company with the Arctic 

 Tern, and sometimes in close proximity to nests 

 of the Black-headed Gull. Mr. Ussher has remarked 

 that on marine islands the eggs of this bird are 

 rarely laid before June, and are chiefly produced 

 during that month ; but on inland lakes the Com- 

 mon Tern breeds earlier, and the full complement 

 of eggs may sometimes be found before the end 

 of May. Where grass is abundant on their breeding- 

 ground, these birds make their nests in it, but these 

 are seldom more than mere depressions. During its 

 migrations in spring and autumn the Common Tern 

 often comes up the rivers from the coast, and 

 wanders inland to fresh-water pools and reservoirs, 

 including the ornamental waters in the London 

 parks. By the middle of September the majority 

 have left us for the winter. 



ARCTIC TERN. Sterna hirundo, Linnjeus. PL 33, 

 fig. 2. Length, 14-5 in.; bill, 1-5 in.; wing, 10-25; 

 tarsus, 0-75 in. 



This is the sea-swallow on which Linnaeus 

 bestowed the specific name hirundo. It is the 

 Sterna macrura of Naumann, Isis, 1819, p. 1847 ; 



T 



