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NODDY. 
BLACK NODDY. 
Sterna stolida , Jenyns. Gotjld. 
Anous stolidus , Eyton. 
Sterna —...? Stolida — Foolish—hebid. 
This species is only an occasional and rare wanderer to 
Europe, but a few specimens have occurred on the French 
coast. It belongs also to America, being plentiful in Carolina, 
the Gulf of Mexico, along the coast of Florida, and the West 
India Islands, Tobago, the Tortugas, the Bahamas, and others. 
In South America, in Brazil and Cayenne. In India it is 
seen in the Chinese seas. 
In Ireland, two specimens were shot off the coast of Wexford, 
in the summer of 1840. 
They are very tame while engaged with their nests, alighting 
on the heads of visitors, or suffering a hand to be placed over 
them while sitting; indeed they appear to permit a close 
approach at all times, as suggested by their name: who has 
not read of ‘Boobies and Noddies?’ who, that is to say, has 
not read Captain Bligh’s ever-memorable voyage in the open 
boat? who that has read it, does not remember it, and will 
not remember it with interest as long as he lives? These 
birds frequently alight at night on the yards of vessels, as if 
to roost. When taken they bite severely, snapping in a quick 
manner, and so as to make a sound if the object is missed. 
They have been seen more than a hundred leagues from land. 
They fly in a buoyant and light manner, and swim with 
ease and grace. ‘When about to alight on the water, the 
Noddy keeps its wings extended upwards, and touches it first 
with its feet.’ 
