GULLS AND TERNS. 55 
ROSEATE TERN. 
It is with some hesitation that I include this 
species, the Stérna dougalli of Montagu, in the 
present work, because if it really does visit our 
coasts now to breed, it is so exceedingly rare and 
local, that any ordinary observer of bird life by 
the sea could scarcely hope to meet with it. It 
is interesting to remark that the Roseate Tern was 
first made known to science from a skin that was 
sent to Montagu, from the Cumbrae Islands, in the 
Firth of Clyde. It was subsequently found breeding 
on the Farne Islands by Selby; it formerly bred 
on the Scilly Islands, as well as on Foulney and 
Walney; but so far as I can ascertain there is no 
direct evidence that it breeds at any of these places 
now. It may be distinguished from the Common 
Tern by its rosy under plumage ; but as this is very 
apt to fade, a still more infallible distinction, accord- 
ing to Mr. Saunders, is the white inner margin to 
the primaries. 
The Roseate Tern is a very late migrant, not 
reaching its breeding places until towards the 
end of May. In its flight and habits generally, 
it very closely resembles those of the preceding 
species; but its note is hoarser than that of 
the Common Tern. The favourite breeding 
grounds of this Tern appear to be low rocky islets 
and—so far as our islands are concerned—it is 
partial to nesting among a larger colony of Arctic 
