402 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



the water ; on low islands, and at suitable places 

 on mainland shores ; on the Fame Islands, on 

 the Yorkshire side of the mouth of the Humber ; 

 the Stilly Isles ; on the Welsh coast, Lancashire, 

 Cumberland ; generally round the Scottish coast, 

 and at various suitable places in Ireland. 



Materials. None whatever, as a rule, and I 

 am inclined to think that where bits of grass and 

 seaweed are found their presence is accidental. 



HOME OF THE ARCTIC TERN. 



Eggs. Two or three, varying in ground-colour 

 from pale bluish-green to brownish-buff, blotched and 

 spotted with varying shades of brown and grey. 

 They are found nearer the water's edge as a rule, 

 are slightly smaller, more boldly marked, and in- 

 clining to green in the tinge of their ground-colour, 

 than those of the Common Tern. It is, however, 

 generally impossible to distinguish them. Size 

 about 1.55 by i.i in. (See Plate XII.) 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April and May 

 and departing in September and October. Note : a 



