174 



THE COMMON TERN. 



Sterna JluviatU'iK Naum. 



The first record of the Common Tern was a single bird seen 

 in Lancashire on the 14th of April. 



In Kent a few arrived on the 20th, others on the 22nd, 

 and by the 29th many had arrived at their breeding- 

 grounds. On the 13th of May there was a further increase 

 and bv the 20th there were many nests with eggs. In 

 Suffolk it was first seen between the 24tli and 2Gth of 

 April. On the 21st of April a few were seen in Lancashire, 

 but after that date no further records were received till 

 the 4th of May, when it was noted both in Lancashire and 

 in South-east Yorkshire. Nests were first recorded from 

 Liincashire on the 2*jth. 



It is impossible to trace any migratory movement from 

 these records, but after reaching this country the species seems 

 to pass along both the east and west coasts simultaneously. 



Chkonological Summary of the Records. 



April 14. Lancashire. 



19-20. Kent (few). 



21. Kent (none), Lancashire. 



22. Kent (increase). 



23. Kent (none). 



24. Suffolk. 



2(i. Suffolk (increasing daily). 



29. Kent (many). 



May 4. Lancashire (few), S.E. Yorkshire. 



„ 5. S.E. Yorkshire (several). 



