BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 207 



by .042 in breadth ; in shape, very similar to a common hen's egg. 

 The eggs were sometimes deposited upon the bare rock and some- 

 times on a few twigs, which had, however, the ai^pearance of having 

 accidentally fallen into the hole." 



The flight of this graceful species does not at all resemble the 

 long, easy movements of the Gulls, but is hurried and rapid, more 

 resembling that of a Duck. As a rule, they appeared to be rather 

 shy, and it was an unusual thing for us to obtain a shot at one of 

 them while coasting along the shores of the islands ; although they 

 were often seen, they seldom apiaroached within shooting distance of 

 the vessel. The inhabitants call them Egg Birds, and prefer their 

 esss as an article of food to those of the Terns or Gulls. 



-&&" 



Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol VII. pi. 427. 



