Familiar Studies of Wild Birds 



terns, rising in swarms from the beach and 

 outlying rocks, hovered overhead, their pro- 

 testing voices swelling to a volume that could 

 be heard far off. Their nests, simply depres- 

 sions in the sand, sometimes lined with grass or 

 seaweed, are placed along the beach above high- 

 water mark, a few also being scattered inland; 

 and so thickly are they strewn at points, that 

 it is necessary to walk with care to avoid tread- 

 ing on the eggs or young. Two, three, or 

 rarely four, profusely spotted eggs are 

 laid. For a few days the adults brood the 

 newly hatched young, shielding them during 

 the day from the hot rays of the sun. There- 

 after the young terns wander about, seeking 

 the shade of rocks during midday. As one 

 walks along the shore, they squat down flat, 

 quite aware of the fact that their protective 

 coloring blends almost indistinguishably with 

 the rocks, or they take to the water, for they 

 are perfect swimmers from the start. From 



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