408 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



and dark chestnut-brown. Distinguished by smaller 

 size of eggs and also of parent birds. Size about 

 1.25 by .95 in. (See Plate XII.) 



Time. June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in May and de- 

 parting in September or early October. Note : a 

 sharp pirre. Local and other names : Lesser Sea 

 Swallow, Lesser Tern. Gregarious. When a colony 

 is visited the birds fly boldly round, uttering their 

 sharp cry, and settle quite close to the intruder. 



LESSER TERN ON EGGS. 



TERN, ROSEATE. 



(Sterna dougalh'.) 

 Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 fifteen and a half inches. Bill rather long, straight, 

 and sharp pointed ; from the tip to the nostrils 

 it is black, and thence to the base red. Irides 

 dark brown. Crown and back of head black ; 

 neck white all round ; back and wings ash-grey ; 

 tail much forked, long, and pale ash-grey. Breast, 

 belly, sides, vent, and under tail-coverts white, 

 tinged strongly with rose colour. Legs, toes, and 



