ARCTIC TERN. 55 



This species is common to both continents, and has been found 

 breeding as far north as Greenland and Spitzbergen. It migrates 

 south in the cold weather, and its return to its summer haunts is 

 hailed as a sure indication that winter is really gone. For a time 

 many a quiet bay and inlet is enlivened by its presence. 



" Swift by the window skims the Tern, 

 Oil light and glancing wing, 

 And every sound which lises up 

 Gives token of the Spring."' 



On Hamilton Bay the terns make their appearance about the 10th 

 of May, and in company with the black-headed gulls go careeiing 

 around the shores in meriy groups, or settle on the sand bars to rest 

 and plume their feathers in the sun. By the end of the month they 

 have all gone to the north and west to raise their young, but they 

 pay us a short visit in the fall on their way south. 



The range of this species is very similar to that of Forster's Tern. 

 Gull Island in Lake Erie, St. Clair Flats, and especially Waterhen 

 River and adjoining waters, are named among its breeding places. 



D. Gunn, writing in the " Birds of Manitoba," on the habits of 

 these birds in Lake Winnipeg, says : 



" When at Lake Winnipeg, in 1862, I noticed that the terns which 

 occupied sandy or gravelly islands made their nests as those do on 

 the gravelly islands of Shoal Lake, while those found on the rocky 

 island on the east side of the lake chose for their nesting places 

 depressions and clefts in the surface of the rocks. These they care- 

 fully lined with moss, thus giving a remarkable example of the 

 instinct which teaches them that their eggs when laid on the sand 

 or gravel are safe, but when placed on these hard and often cold 

 materials, a warm lining for the protection of the eggs and young 

 birds is indispensable." 



STERNA PARADISE Brunn. 

 27. Arctic Tern. (71) 



Bill, carmine ; feet, vermilion ; plumage, like that of hirundo, but much 

 darker below, the plumbeous wash so heavy that these parts are scarcely paler 

 than the mantle ; crissum, pure white ; throat and sides of the neck, white or 

 tinged with gray. In winter, cap defective; in young the same, ujjper parts 

 patched with gray, brown or rufous ; under parts palei- or white ; a dark bar on 



