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THE SANDWICH TERN. 

 Sterna cantiaca, J. F. Gnielin. 



The Sandwich Tern, whicli derives its name from the place where 

 it was first observed in 17S4, is a regular visitor to the British 

 Islands ; arriving in some localities towards the end of March 

 (though usually in April, or not till May on the east coast), and 

 leaving for the south early in autumn. When persecuted, it not 

 unfrequently changes its breeding-grounds, and ornithologists who 

 have recently explored the Scilly Islands have failed to find it there 

 in summer, while particulars respecting Kent, Essex or Suffolk 

 might prove prejudicial; but a large and well-known colony inhabits 

 the Fame Islands, and on the west a limited number nest on 

 Walney Island off Lancashire, and at Ravenglass in Cumberland. 

 Beyond the Solway a few pairs are found on the coast of Kirkcud- 

 brightshire, and, according to Gray, some frequent Loch Lomond ; 

 while on the east of Scotland there are breeding-places up to the 

 mouth of the Findhorn. In Ireland there is a carefully protected 

 site near Ballina, described by Mr. R. Warren (Zool. 1S77, p. 101), 

 and some others are probably in existence. 



This species is seldom found northward of Denmark and is 

 almost unknown in the Baltic, but on the low coasts and some of 

 the islands of the North Sea, from Jutland to the Netherlands, it 



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