BIRDS OF THE SEA 109 



Language. — Similar to the other Terns but thinner 

 and shriller. 



Habits. — Generally much the same as the other 

 Terns. 



Food. — Generally much the same as the other Terns. 

 Nest. — May or June. One brood. 



Site. — In hollow in shingle, and not far above high- 

 water mark. 



Materials. — If any, a few grasses or bits of seaweed. 



£■^^5. — Two or three. Like smaller editions of the 

 Common Tern's. 



LITTLE GULL {Larus minutus). 



An irregular visitor from Europe. Occurrences of it 

 are reported almost every year. In general appearance 

 it may be described as a Lesser Black-headed Gull, 

 only the head is really black, and not brown, as in 

 L. ridihundus. The black head is the nuptial dress, 

 which, when visiting us, is whitish, more or less streaked 

 with ash-colour. Under sides of wings black and con- 

 spicuous in flight. It is about five inches smaller than 

 L. ridihundus. Breeds in continental Europe. 



SANDWICH TERN (Sterna cantiaca). 



March to September. Local and uncommon. Breeds 

 in some numbers on the Fame Islands, Walney Island, 

 and other districts on the Scotch and Irish coasts. 



Plumage. — Crown of head black ; upper parts pearl- 

 grey. Rump, tail, and under parts white, the breast 



