392 Mr. W. H. Simpson on some of the Birds 



that I was to have another wild-goose chase across the lagoon 

 and mnd-flats of Mesolonghi under the equally powerful sun of 

 Greece, Already several days had elapsed since we first noticed 

 them, and still we were unable to gain any satisfactory tidings 

 of their mysterious retreat. My associates became very muti- 

 nous in consequence of our prolonged ill-success ; so I directed 

 the boat to be lauded at a fisherman's hut outside the main group 

 of islets, where some fish was roasted to appease their hunger and 

 ill-temper. Whilst this was being prepared, the usual question 

 of course was put, and ehcited the usual reply in the negative. 

 ' Where do these broken shells come from, theu?^ 'Oh ! they 

 come from a long way off; and the birds won't lay any more.' 

 ' Wouldn't 20 kfta per egg induce the birds to alter their deter- 

 mination ?' ' They couldn't lay upon trust ; part of the money 

 must be paid down.' So the fisherman's boy agreed to try; and 

 our monoxylon set off towards the outer spit, which was searched 

 without success. On returning to the islet, I was much surprised 

 at seeing a straw hat filled with eggs of S. anglica awaiting our 

 inspection. Late as it was, I made the boy take me to the place, 

 where I had the satisfaction of seeing the bird itself in great 

 numbers, and succeeded myself in finding four nests, two of 

 which, with their full complement of eggs, were taken then and 

 there. The boy was directed to find all the nests he could, and 

 leave them for rae to inspect on the following day." The 

 greater number of the nests were on two of the innermost islets 

 of this group. Generally they are placed on the raised outer 

 edge, which in case of a flood would remain longest high and 

 dry. The eggs are deposited upon the sand or soil, in a depres- 

 sion slightly lined with a few bits of dead grass, and are not 

 easy to see, as the colours blend with surrounding objects. The 

 birds appear to commence incubation simultaneously, or nearly 

 so, as most of the nests contained eggs pretty fresh. They did 

 not evince the anxiety which many Terns do about their eggs, 

 but simply contented themselves with flying in a body, at a great 

 height, over the islands. I strongly suspect that in these hot 

 countries the Terns do not care to sit upon their eggs through- 

 out the day; and this may be the reason why one often sees 

 flocks of Sterna anglica feeding miles away from head- quarters. 



