THE ROSEATE TERN. 



island until the third or fourth day. After this if nothing disturbs them 

 their numbers increase very East. They begin to lay about the ist of June, 

 nnn varying three days from that time. While some gather a few dry 

 weeds or a little drj seaweed, others make only a hollow in the sand: and some 

 deposil their eggs mi the stones without any nest at all. They usually lay 

 two eggs, though some nests are found to have three, and some four, eggs. 

 When four are found they are never alike: when three they are sometimes 

 alike, and sometimes one of them differs both in shape and color. Where 

 there are only two they are usually very much alike. 



"The male feeds its mate while site is sitting, and may frequently be 

 seen carrying fish to the island, which is often found deposited near the nests. 

 The young bird begins to run soon after it is hatched, and when disturbed 

 n leaves its nest and hides among the stones, or in the grass and weeds. 

 When the young one is large enough to fly, the parent takes it out alone to 

 practice flying. At first it ventures only a few rods, but soon is able to fly a 

 mile or more, but always accompanied by the old bird, — the latter never 

 taking more than one of her young out with her at the same time. * * * 

 The young birds reach their growth by the JOth of August, and their stay 

 after September i depends upon the abundance of their food. When fish 

 is plentiful they remain until the first of October. They feed entirely upon 

 fish, which the) catch by diving. They are greatly troubled by the depreda- 

 tions hi Hawks, and in one year — 1863 — the birds were driven away before 

 their young were ready to lly. The Duck Hawk seems to lie their most 

 troublesome enemy." 



Taken in .1 



KOSI. \ I h I l.RNS. 



ri, t ;„ by ;._v„,,\ jo 



