LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN GULLS AND TERNS. 269 



ing lead-colored. The white forehead is seldom noticeable in flight, 

 except at short range, when the black bill and black feet can be seen. 

 The body appears to be heavier, the wing strokes slower, and the 

 whole bird larger. It habitually flies at a higher elevation above the 

 ground or water, usually above gun range. A wounded bird gives 

 the characteristic, harsh tern cries which serves to draw its com- 

 panions down nearer the ground. The birds thus attracted seldom 

 hover over their fallen comrade, but swoop down near him, then pass 

 and mount upward again. 



Mr. Turner (1886) says: 



The note of tbis bird differs from tbat of /S. paradisaea in that the " squay " 

 is weaker and squeaky. The other note is like twe-e-e-e prolonged, and is really 

 distinguishable from the harsher " squay " of the S. paradisaea. 



Mr. Hersey records the ordinary note as a three-syllable whistle, 

 suggesting a shore-bird's call rather than the harsh, grating tee-ar-r-r 

 so characteristic of other terns. 



After collecting the eggs mentioned above, Mr. Hersey left the 

 terns to lay again and hatch out broods of young, but evidently they 

 did not do so, or, if they did, their plans for rearing young were 

 frustrated by a short-eared owl which he found living on the island ; 

 whether the owl had destroyed the young or had so persecuted the 

 old birds that they did not lay again is a question. 



Fall. — Not much is known about the fall migration or the winter 

 home of the Aleutian tern. Mr. Nelson (1887) says: 



The old birds stray along the coast after the 1st of July and until about the 

 middle of September, after which none are seen until the following season. 



Where they go is a mystery, certainly not down the Pacific coast 

 of North America ; probably they retreat to their Asiatic home, 

 whence they extended their range to Alaska and migrate down the 

 coast to Japan, and perhaps much farther south or west. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



Breeding range. — Known to breed only on two small islands in 

 Norton Sound, Alaska, near St. ^Michael and near Kegikhtowik. 

 Probably breeds on or near Saghalin Island, in the Sea of Okhotsa, 

 Siberia, where birds were taken in June. Once bred on Kodiak 



Winter range. — Unknown. Kecorded in northern Japan ( off 

 Island. Alaska. f — 



Yezo). 



Spring migration. — Arrives at St. Michael, May 20 to 30. 



Fall migration. — Leaves St. Michael about the middle of Sep- 

 tember. 



Eggs dates. — Alaska (St. Michael) : Five records, June 23 to 28. 



