STEENA MINUTA 349 



According to Blanc, the species, though still numerous on all the 

 Tunisian shores in summer, and particularly on the small islands off 

 the south-east coast, is not nearly as plentiful as it used to be formerly, 

 owing to the persistent persecution referred to in the preceding 

 article. 



As in Tunisia, the Little Tern is a common summer visitor to 

 Algeria and Marocco. 



The range of the species is not as extensive as that of some of its 

 allies. It, however, extends in summer throughout Europe, as far 

 north as Southern Sweden, through North Africa, and in Asia as far 

 east as Northern India. In winter the bird migrates southwards as 

 far as Cape Colony in Africa, and in Asia to Southern India, the 

 Moluccas and Java. 



In its habits this pretty little Tern most resembles S. fluviatilis, 

 and, like it, may at times be met with on inland waters as well as 

 on the sea-coasts, though in Tunisia it seems to be chiefly, if not 

 exclusively, found in the latter localities. It is very sociable and 

 congregates in small colonies, frequenting sandy beaches or stretches 

 of shingle and drift sea-weed in preference to rocky shores. 



Its flight is remarkably light and buoyant, and is performed, as 

 a rule, with regular and measured beats of the wings, though, in a 

 high wind, it is sometimes rather swerving and erratic, and when 

 the bird swoops down on its prey, it will drop almost perpendicularly 

 like a stone. It swims well, but on land walks with apparent 

 difficulty. 



Its call-note somewhat resembles that of the Common Tern, and 

 its alarm-note, or cry of distress, uttered on its eggs or young being 

 approached, is not unlike the syllable "wheek," repeated two or three 

 times. Its food consists chiefly of small fish and crustaceans, which 

 are always seized by the bird with its bill. 



The Little Tern commences nesting soon after its arrival in 

 spring, and the breeding season may be said to extend throughout 

 May and June and into July. Sandy beaches are usually resorted 

 to, and the low flat islets, numerous in the neighbourhood of Djerba 

 and other parts of the south-east coast of Tunisia, form ideal breeding 

 sites. 



Somewhat similar localities are to be found off the south-west 

 coast of Sicily, and quite recently I had the pleasure of meeting with 

 a small breeding colony of Sterna miniUa m one of these spots. The 



