LARID^. 



643 





THE SANDWICH TERN. 

 Sterna cantiaca, J. F. Gmelin. 



The Sandwich Tern, which derives its name from the place where 

 it was first observed in 1784, is a regular visitor to the British 

 Islands ; arriving in some localities towards the end of March, 

 though on the east coast usually about the middle of April, and 

 leaving for the south early in autumn. It not unfrequently changes 

 its breeding-grounds when persecuted, and ornithologists who have 

 recently explored the Scilly Islands have failed to find it there 

 in summer, while particulars respecting Kent, Essex or Suffolk 

 might prove prejudicial ; but a large and well-known colony inhabits 

 the Fame Islands ; and on the west a limited number nest on 

 Walney Island off Lancashire, and at Ravenglass in Cumberland. 

 Beyond the Solway a few pairs are found on the coast of Kirkcud- 

 brightshire, and birds seem to have occurred on Loch Lomond, as 

 well as on Tiree; on the east of Scotland there are breeding- 

 places up to the mouth of the Findhorn ; and northward a colony 

 was discovered in 1893 on North Ronaldshay, Orkneys. In Ireland 

 there is a carefully protected site near Ballina, described by Air. 

 R. Warren (Zool. 1877, p. loi), and another may exist. 



This species has visited Norway, but it is seldom found north- 

 ward of Denmark and is almost unknown to the east of Copen- 



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