The Tcjiis. 



195 



m. 



The Whiskered Tern. 



The Gull-eilled Tern. 



THE 



CASPL\N THRN. 



[HydropYognc 



cnsf'ia.) 



with a little sea-weed or dead grass, and the egt;s are two or three in number, pale 



stone-buft' with a slight olive tinge, spotted all over with blackish and grey, hut not 



so as to form blotches ; the length is from an inch-and-three-quarters to two-inches- 



and-a-half, so that there is great variation in the size of the eggs. 



This species measures nineteen inches in length, and is 

 recognised by its large size and b}- its red bill. It has occurred 

 several times off the southern and eastern coasts of England, 

 and it breeds in the Island of Sylt and in the Mediterranean, as 

 well as on the Indian and Australian coasts. It also nests in 



North America. This large species feeds almost entirely on fish, and is a bird of power- 

 ful flight, making a great 



demonstration m defence 



of its nest. The latter is 



only a depression m the 



sand, with a few shells or 



bents of grass for lining. 



The eggs are two or three 



in number, greyish-buff or 



stone buff, with markings 



of chocolate-brown or 



blackish, not forming 



blotches. Their length 



is from two - and - a - 



quarter to two - and -a- 



half inches. 



Tmi: C.\siman Tern. 



13* 



