TERNS 293 



places I obtained the eggs during the last week of 

 May. These, two or three in number, very hand- 

 somely marked (some the colour of tortoiseshell) are 

 laid on the bare ground, or in a slight depression 

 amongst a small collection of driftwood. 



In Ireland the Sandwich Tern is a regular summer 

 visitor, chiefly to Killala Bay, Co. Mayo, on the west 

 coast. Mr. R. Warren, who has observed it there 

 for many years, has furnished some interesting details 

 of its habits in Mr. Ussher's recently published 

 "Birds of Ireland," noticing especially its wild 

 flight and strange cry, so unlike that of other Terns. 

 This I also remarked when invading its haunts 

 above named. It soars to such a height as to 

 become almost invisible, and would in consequence 

 pass unnoticed but for its loud and harsh scream. 

 It is at once distinguishable amongst other Terns 

 on the same breeding-ground by its superior size, 

 fuller wings, the expanse of which is 2 ft. 9 in., 

 black bill with yellow tip, and black legs and feet. 



LESSER TERN. Sterna minuta, Linnaeus. PI. 33, 

 figs. 3, 3(x. Length, 9-5 in.; bill, 1-4 in.; wing, 

 6-75 in. ; tarsus, 0*75 in. 



A summer visitant, but local in its distribution. 

 Protected in Norfolk and at Spurn Point, where 

 in 1900 there were at least one hundred pairs 

 nesting. Breeds on the North and South Bull 

 rocks, Dublin Bay. 



This species may be known from the Common 

 and Arctic Terns by its smaller size, yellow bill with 

 black tip, and orange-coloured legs. 



