LA K I l):V.. 



THE CASPIAN TERN. 



Sterna caspia, Pallas. 



This fine Tern, the largest member of the genus, is of more 

 irregular appearance on the coast of England than might reasonably 

 be expected, seeing that some of its breeding-places are at no 

 great distance. According to an excellent summary of its occur- 

 rences by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. (Zool. 1887, p. 457), nine 

 examples have been obtained — and others have been observed — ^on 

 the coast of Norfolk between 1825 and i860 ; while eight have been 

 killed, at various times and places, in Suffolk, Kent, Dorset, Lincoln- 

 shire and Yorkshire. Mr. E. Bidwell, whose identification may be 

 trusted, saw an individual of this species near the Earne Islands on 

 June 6th 1880 ; and although the species has not yet been recorded 

 from Scotland, a male was shot at Vaagoe in the Faeroes on May 

 loth 1887, as stated by Col. H. W. Feilden. 



The Caspian Tern breeds in colonies — which have seriously 

 diminished of late years — on the sandy shores and islands of the 

 basin of the Baltic ; but its best-known haunt is the island of 

 Sylt, to the west of Schleswig, though I believe that some nest 

 still nearer to us, namely on the coast of Holland to the south of the 

 Maas, for I saw six adults flying in pairs and evidently going out to 



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