704 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
top, from the base of the bill, including the eye and down the back 
of the neck, pure black; in the female this portion is only pro- 
fusely speckled with black ; bill fine scarlet ; points horn-coloured ; 
legs black. Length, 21’; wing, 17’; tail, to the centre, 5”, forked. 
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. viii, pl. 569. 
681. Srerna sercu, Licht. Swift Tern. 
The Swift Tern is, perhaps, our commonest species, appearing in 
large flocks in Table Bay throughout the year. It breeds on the 
islands to the north-westward; lays two eggs of a rich cream-colour, 
dotted, blotched, and streaked with very dark brown and purple. 
Axis, 2” 5”; diam., 1” 7’. The running of the smaller spots into 
streaks at once seems to identify the eggs of this species from those 
of others that may breed here. It feeds on small fish and crus- 
taceans, the former of which it captures by dropping upon them 
from a considerable height ; the latter it either gathers in a graceful 
swoop, as it flies along the edge of the retiring wave, or composedly 
picks up while walking along the sand, on which it readily perches. 
It is a singular sight to see the small craft in the bay covered by 
these birds and cormorants: each mast-head will be garnished 
with one, the bowsprit has a line of them, and along the sides 
and taffrail they sit as close as they can find room. When thus 
in repose they will permit a close approach, well knowing that the 
police regulations of the bay prevent their being fired at. Elsewhere 
they are wary enough. 
Mr. Ayres says that these birds frequent the Bay of Natal 
generally in pairs, but sometimes as many as five or six are together. 
When in search of food they hover over the water and dart down 
on fish. Like Larus phecephalus, they alight on any branch or 
piece of wood that may be above the water. Mr. Andersson writes: 
“Next to Sterna caspia this is the finest Tern on the south-west 
coast of Africa, where it is not uncommon. I have shot large 
numbers of it at Walwich Bay, where I have found it frequenting 
the innermost parts of the bay as well as some other inlets and bays 
to the southward.” Sir John Kirk found this species breeding off 
the Luabo mouth of the Zambesi in January. 
Male.—General colour above rather dark pearl-grey, darkest on 
the wing-feathers; under parts and lower part of the neck pure 
white; forehead white; top of head, including the eye and crest in 
ee ke ts ee EE Eo ae ae ous 
A TT 
6s aged OO a Ge eet greenies a ale ee Eten Sata re mY 
