444 ^ ULLS. 



The terns are distinguished from the gulls by their long, 

 straight, and pointed bills, small slender feet, very long wings, 

 and forked tails; from the latter character, and their incessant 

 activity on the wing, they are frequently known as Sea-Swallows. 



The type of this race — 



The Common Tern {Sterna Hinindo), is smaller than any of the ordi- 

 nary gulls. It is more lively and active in its movements, and does not 

 generally fly in circles, but "rambles" through the -air, frequently diverging 

 to the right or left, now skimming the surface of the sea, and anon sweeping 

 aloft to a considerable elevation. Its mode of taking its prey is totally dif- 

 ferent from that of any 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 a 

 distance of from fifty to a hundred yards from the beach. Its beak is pointed 

 downwards, and the bird is evidently on the look-out. Suddenly it descends 

 perpendicularly into the water, making a perceptible splash, but scarcely dis- 

 appearing. In an instant it has recovered the use of its wings, and ascends 

 again, swallowing some small fish, and continuing its course as before. Often, 

 when the sea is calm, a cruising party of terns come in sight. Their course 

 is less direct than in the instance last mentioned, as they seem to hunt after 

 the fashion of spaniels. Suddenly one of the party.arrests its fli.^lit, hovers 

 for a moment, like a hawk, and descends as if shot, making a splash in the 

 water. If unsuccessful, it rises at once ; but if it has captured the object at 

 which it aimed, it remains floating on the sea till it has got rid of its victim 

 by the summary process of swallowing it. Terns are by no means shy: they 

 will frequently fly directly over a boat, uttering from time to time a short 

 scream, which, though not melodious, is in strict keeping with the scene 

 around, harmonizing well with the dashing of the billows and the music of 

 the breeze. 



Such arc the feathered tribes ; thus widely are they spread 

 through every region, whether to ornament the loveliness of 

 Nature, or fulfil, each in its separate sphere of usefulness, the will 

 of Him who sends them forth on their respective missions. Before 

 the curtain falls on this grand spectacle, we may remark how 

 very simple are the means employed to obtain such infinite re- 

 sults, such strange diversity of forms, of habits, and of instincts 



