260 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



Mr. Button^ that lie believes it still breeds near St. Leonards, 

 that there is a considerable colony at Pevensey, and that with 

 the help of a dog, without which it is almost impossible to dis- 

 cover them, he found eight nests of three eggs each and three 

 with only one. Its food and habits are similar to those of 

 the Common Tern. 



LESSER TERN. 



Sterna minuta. 



This, the smallest of our British Terns, is not very plentiful, 

 though it occurs all along the coast and breeds with us in a 

 few places, particularly in the eastward portion of the county, 

 making its first appearance in May. It feeds on surface- 

 swimming Crustacea and small fish, on which it pounces while 

 on the wing. 



It is occasionally met with off Shoreham and Worthing, 

 and there is a colony at Rye. Mr. Jeffery notes that on 

 May 9th, 1864, five were shot in Pagham Harbour, and that 

 he had examined an immature specimen shot at the same 

 place, and found it crammed with small fish. He also says 

 that on May 20th, 1866, four were shot at Sidlesham, and on 

 the same day thirteen were killed there at two shots. Its 

 habits and the situation of its nest are similar to those of the 

 Common Tern. In large floods and in heavy gales it is now 

 and then found on fresh water at a considerable distance 

 from the sea. 



