The Sea-birds’ Nursery 
Perhaps the most graceful of all the 
sea-birds are the beautiful terns, or sea- 
swallows as they are often called, from 
their long, pointed wings and forked tails. 
But instead of possessing the glossy 
purple plumage of the swallow, they 
are pure white with grey backs, and 
generally have black heads and wings. 
They nest together in large numbers on 
the shingle and sand at the edge of the 
sea. 
If anybody approaches their nests, a 
great multitude of snowy forms rise into 
the air, and drift about in a confused 
mass, from which proceeds a babel of 
hoarse, harsh cries. For in spite of their 
graceful forms and lovely plumage, the 
terns do not possess very melodious 
voices. 
Their eggs are laid on the shingle ; 
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