TERNS. 83 



an intruder approaches, in one dense cloud, like 

 a flight of air - borne arrows, they sweep towards 

 him with piercing shrieks that plead for his 

 departure. 



When their young are fledged, they delight to 

 rest in a great white flock in the calm water by 

 the edge of a reef. Many heads are tucked 

 under the snowy wings, in perfect composure. 

 Not a plume stirs, save that the sportive sea 

 breeze ruffles a downy feather now and then. 

 But a winged brother arrives from an excursion 

 to sea, instantly every graceful pinion is raised 

 aloft to welcome him, and then they settle down 

 quietly again to their repose on the dappled 

 breast of the blue. 



Our two species of Terns are the Wilson's, or 

 Common Tern, and the Arctic Tern. The first 

 is marked by a black cap on its head. The 

 Arctic Tern is a smaller bird, but has a longer 

 forked tail, and is the least common of the two 



PETRELS. 



Leach's Petrel and Wilson's Petrel are both 

 dark -colored little birds, about eight inches long. 



