The terrestrial mammals and birds of Nortli-East Greenland. 



171 



The ship often passed smaller flocks ot Terns during ils navi- 

 gation through the field-ice. I observed for instance 7 Arctic Terns 

 sitting on the top of an ice-berg in company with some Laras tri- 

 dactylus and a solitary Skua at lat. 75^ 20' n. long. 8° w. August P' 

 1906. 



In the two summers the first Terns arrived in the neighbour- 

 hood of Danmarks Havn respectively June 14'*^ and June 16''\ 



That Terns were observed June the 9"^ 3 degrees farther North 

 was due to the fact, that the ice conditions of this place were high- 

 ly favourable. (Similar observations regarding other sea-birds have 

 also been made.) 



Fig. 15. Arctic Tern on nest. 



The Terns would take to their nesting-places immediately after 

 their arrival. 



The laying began the last days of June. The nests are placed 

 in very various situations: in grass, between small stones and on 

 naked cliffs. 



The number of eggs in a clutch was usually two; I found, 

 however, also Terns breeding on one or three eggs. 



The eggs vary extremely as to colour, size and shape. 



At the nest the birds proved very bold striking at and hitting 

 my head with their beaks when I approached the nest. Ravens, 

 that visited the colony were attacked and pursued in the most vio- 

 lent manner by the furious Tern-flocks. 



About July 20'^^ the young ones emerged. They were fed by the 

 parents even after they were able to fly; they received the food 



