THE LITTLE (OR LESSER) TERN 279 
that of the Gulls. Very frequently a single Tern may be observed 
pursuing its course in a line with the breakers on a sandy shore at 
the distance perhaps of from fifty to a hundred yards from the beach. 
Its beak is pointed downwards, and the bird is evidently on the 
look-out for prey. Suddenly it descends perpendicularly into the 
water, making a perceptible splash, but scarcely disappearing. 
In an instant it has recovered the use of its wings and ascends again, 
swallowing some small fish meanwhile if it has been successful, but 
in any case continuing its course as before. I do not recollect 
ever to have seen a Tern sit on the water to devour its prey when 
fishing among the breakers. Often, too, as one is walking along 
the shore, or sailing in a boat, when the sea is calm, a cruising party 
of Terns comes in sight. Their flight now is less direct than in the 
instance just mentioned, as they ‘beat’ the fishing-ground after 
the fashion of spaniels, still, however, making way ahead. Sud- 
denly one of the party arrests its flight, hovers for a few seconds 
like a Hawk, and decends as if shot, making a splash as before. 
If unsuccessful it rises at once, but if it has captured the object on 
which it swooped, it remains floating on the water until it has re- 
lieved itself of its incumbrance by the summary process of swallow- 
ing it. I do not know a prettier sight than a party of Terns thus 
occupied. They are by no means shy, frequently flying quite 
over the boat, and uttering from time to time a short scream, 
which, though: not melodious, is more in keeping with the scene 
than a mellow song would be. 
In rough weather they repair to sheltered bays, ascend estuaries, 
or follow the course of a river until they have advanced far inland. 
They are harbingers of summer quite as much as the Swallow itself, 
coming to us in May and leaving in September for some warmer 
coast. They usually breed on flat shores, laying two or three eggs 
on the ground, in marshes, or on sandy shingle. The eggs in my 
collection were procured on the coast of Norfolk, but I have seen 
the birds themselves in the greatest numbers in Belfast Lough and 
in Loch Crinan. They have bred as far north as Sutherland. 
THE LITTLE (OR LESSER) TERN 
STERNA MINUTA 
Bill orange, with a black tip; feet orange; forehead, and a streak above 
the eye, white; crown black; upper parts pearl-grey; under, white ; 
tail much forked, shorter than the wings. Young birds have the head 
brownish, with darker streaks ; upper plumage yellowish white and dusky ; 
bill pale yellow, with a dark tip; legs dull yellow. Length eight and a 
half inches. Eggs stone-colour, spotted and speckled with grey and 
brown. 
On the sandy and marshy shores of Norfolk, the Lesser Tern is a 
bird of common occurrence in summer, either single, or in small 
