COMMON TERN LESSEE TEEN. 167 



in early June are not unknown. Previous to its departure 

 from these shores in autumn it reaches us sometimes at the 

 end of August ; and even as late as the second week in 

 October, in the exceptionally mild autumn of 1886, large 

 numbers visited Oxford (A. H. Macpherson). 



THE ARCTIC TERN. 



Sterna macruya. 



The Arctic Tern is an occasional visitor, but of much less 

 common occurrence than the preceding species. In a few 

 instances it has wandered to the north of the county. 



A curious^ and indeed, as far as England is concerned, 

 unique, instance of this species breeding in an inland situa- 

 tion is recorded by the Messrs. Matthews. The nest, which 

 contained four eggs (an unusual number), was found on 

 Otmoor in the summer of 1834 [Zoologist, 2624). The Rev. 

 A. Matthews, in reply to my enquiries, writes — ' I did not see 

 the nest in situ, for I only heard of the occurrence after ]Mr. 

 Forrest had the birds and nest in his possession, but think he 

 (jould be trusted •" [in lit.). Unusual, and even unlikely, as this 

 event may at first sight appear, it must be remembered that 

 the Arctic Tern is stated to breed on fresh-water lakes in 

 Northern Europe. 



THE LESSER TERN. \ -> * 



Sterna minuta. 

 The Lesser Teni is an occasional visitor to the Thames, 

 occurring in most years in April, May, or June, but I have 

 never heard of its appearance in autumn. In one instance 

 only has it wandered to the north of the county, namely, on 

 the 31st May, 1887, when one was shot on the canal near 

 Banbury; others occurred at Oxford about the same time. 

 In the west of the county a Lesser Tern was shot, on the 4th 

 May, 1888, at Little Milton, on a small tributary of the 

 Evenlode. 



