STERNA ANGLICA. 295 
Writing in ‘The Ibis’ (1860, p. 891) of this place and time Mr. Hudleston 
says :—“ The most numerous of all the birds during the latter half of May on 
the lagoon of Mesolonghi are the Terns, and notably Sterne hirundo, minuta, 
and anglica. If unmolested, their numbers would be enormous, as there are 
probably few places in the Mediterranean more adapted by nature for these 
birds, if innumerable flat islets and sandy spots, washed by an immense extent 
of very shallow salt water abounding in fish, can be any inducement to their 
undertaking the labours of incubation. But now that the towns of Mesolonghi 
and Aitolico are beginning to stir, and the fisheries to be more looked after, 
all the birds will suffer from the increase of activity. The eggs of Sterna 
anglica especially are much eaten by the natives. It was from this circum- 
stance that I came to discover their principal colony, as the following extract 
from my note-book will show :—‘ On the 23rd I started in a monoxylon with 
Vitalis and a native to search the salt lagoon and the islets south-east of the 
town, my chief object being to discover the quarters of Sterna anglica, which 
was to be seen flying about in every direction. his bird had caused me 
many a fruitless ride across the high plains of the Atlas during the summer 
of 1857 ; and it now seemed likely that 1 was to have another wild-goose chase 
across the lagoon and mud-flats of Mesolonghi under the equally powerful sun 
of Greece. Already several days had elapsed since we first noticed them, and 
still we were unable to gain any satisfactory tidings of their mysterious 
retreat. My associates became very mutinous in consequence of our prolonged 
ill-suecess; so I directed the boat to be landed at a fisherman’s hut outside the 
main group of islets, while some fish was roasted to appease their hunger and 
ill-temper. Whilst this was being prepared, the usual question was of course 
put, and elicited the usual reply in the negative. ‘ Where do these broken 
shells come from, then?” ‘Oh! they come from a long way off; and the 
birds won't lay any more.” ‘ Wouldn’t 20 defta per ege induce the birds to 
alter their determination?” “They couldn’t lay upon trust; part of the 
money must be paid down.” So the fisherman’s boy agreed to try ; and our 
monoxylon set off towards the outer spit, which was searched without success. 
On returning to the islet, | was much surprised at seeing a straw hat filled 
with eggs of §. anglica awaiting our inspection. Late as it was, I made the boy 
take me to the place, where I had the satisfaction of seeing the bird itself in 
great numbers, and succeeded myself in finding four nests, two of which, with 
their full complement of eggs, were taken then and there. The boy was 
directed to find all the eggs he could, and to leave them for me to inspect on 
the following day.’ The greater number of the nests were on two of the 
innermost islets of this group. Generally they are placed on the raised outer 
edge, which in case of a flood would remain longest high and dry. Theeges are 
deposited upon the sand or soil, in a depression slightly lined with a few bits 
of dead grass, and are not easy to see, as the colours blend with surrounding 
objects. ‘The birds appear to commence incubation simultaneousiy, or nearly 
so, as most of the nests contained eggs pretty tresh. They did not evince the 
anxiety which many Terns do about their eggs, but simply contented them- 
selves with flying in a body, at a great height, over the islands. I strongly 
suspect that in these hot countries the Terns do not care to sit upon their eggs 
throughout the day ; and this may be the reason why one often sees flocks of 
Sterna anglica feeding miles away from head-quarters.”’ | 
