All Ruflits Reserved. SKViKunvAi, 101 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB 



Some Interesting Birds. 



By Wksley T. Tack, F.Z.S. Ilmistiiatki) krom Tjfr. t?y 



H. WlLLPOUl). 



{Co)}{'niue(l jrow puffc 2:57). 



Thk Common Tern (Slcr/td flu rial Ills). Tf has heon 

 well said that Terns are Gulls in ininialuic, but a better des- 

 eriptioii would be small, slender and i^^'acefn! (inlls. Tln^y have 

 apM\ l>eeii named Sea .Swallows, the rapidity of tlieii' flight, 

 vivaeity and graeeful wing evolutions, together with their 

 forked tails, make the term most approprhite. ^^'llil'' they 

 have many charaeteristies in common with Gulls, yet they 

 differ from Ihem in being diving l>irds, although they, 

 seldom entirely disappear from view Avhen taking their 

 food from the water. 



The length of wing (10.5) and giMoeful form of these 

 Swallow.; of the .'^ea is clearly shown in all four of the beauti- 

 ful and striking photon, Avhieh Mi-. Willford has secured this 

 year at the Scilly Isles- with a total length of 14.25, over 

 eight inches of which belongs to the bill (1.7), and tail (G.5), 

 thu? with a body Init si.\ inches long, each wing measufres; 

 10.5. A glance at our illustrations fully portrays this and 

 also the exquisite beauty of form and their contrasty plumage. 

 Their beauty and grace is seen to best advantage in the air, 

 and is beyond description and always excites admiration, 

 whether the spectator be a naturalist, 'Or one who merely, 

 takes a passing interest in the wild creatures of the Avorld* 

 we live in. j 



Dksckii'tion. Si(i)/mrr Phin/a()c: Head and nape: 

 l>ack dark pearl-grey; rump and upper tail coverts, Avhitish 

 pearl -grey; tail feathers wdiite, with (he outer webs grey; 

 undcr-parts white, tinged with vinous-grey on the breast and 

 abdomen; bill q,nd feet red, the former with a black tip. 



