412 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Eggs. Two or three, usually the former number ; 

 varying very much in colour, from creamy-white 

 to buffy stone-colour, spotted, blotched, and clouded 

 and scrolled with grey, deep rich brown, and chest- 

 nut. During one of my visits to the Fame Islands 

 I saw one of a uniform dark brown, although its 

 fellow egg was of the normal coloration. Size 

 of parent birds and eggs prevents confusion with 

 those of any other Tern. Size about 2.1 by 1.4 

 in. (See Plate XII.) 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April and May 

 and departing in August. Note : a hoarse and 

 grating kind of kirkitt or kirhit. Local and other 

 names : Great Tern, Sea Swallow. Gregarious, sits 

 lightly, and flies round the intruder, uttering its 

 hoarse cry. I am very pleased to be able to say 

 that this species is extending its breeding area in 

 the British Islands. 



SANDWICH TERNS AT THE FARNE ISLANDS. 



