TEJ^NS. 



44: 



They usually frequent the sea-coasts or salt-marshes, but are occa- 

 sionally seen on the borders of inland lakes and rivers. They are 

 continually on the wing, and their flight is lofty, of long con- 

 tinuance, and extended far from land. When seeking their food, 

 they wheel round in large circles, or hover over their prey, and 

 then suddenly dart straight upon it. At other times they sweep 

 the surface of the water, seizing with their bill any objects that 

 may be drifting about on the sea. They float with buoyancy on 

 the waves, but rarely, if ever, exercise their power of swimming. 



--^^^ 



Fig. 2if.. i I - //"■««"'")• 



When seeking rest, they resort to the sandy beach, or they may 

 be seen on shallow reefs, rocks, or even trees. Fishes form their 

 chief subsistence, though they also feed on various kinds of ma- 

 rine animals, or on any offal cast up on the shore. The larger 

 species sometimes destroy the young and eggs of other sea-birds. 

 Their eggs are from two to four in number, and are usually de- 

 posited in a slight hollow on insulated rocks. The hatching of 

 the eggs is mostly left to the influence of the sun, the parent 

 only sitting on them at night and during cold weather ; yet the 

 young, when hatched, are most carefully fed and protected from 

 the attacks of other birds. 



