274 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



been said of the species that is so well known to 

 those who, during summer, tarry at the sea-shore. 

 But a word concerning the 

 Least Tern, and this, too, 

 from Wilson: 



" This beautiful little species looks 

 like the preceding in miniature, but 

 surpasses it far in the rich, glossy, 

 satin-like white plumage with which 

 its throat, breast, and whole lower 

 parts are covered. Like the former, 

 it is also a bird of passage, but is 

 said not to extend its migrations to 

 so high a northern latitude, being 

 more delicate and susceptible of 



Least Tern. cold. It arrives on the coast some- 



what later than the other, but in 



equal and perhaps greater numbers ; coasts along the shores and also 

 over the pools in the salt marshes in search of prawns, of which 

 it is particularly fond ; hovers, suspended in the air, for a few mo- 

 ments above its prey exactly in the manner of some of our small 

 Hawks, and dashes headlong down into the water after it, gener- 

 ally seizing it with its bill; mounts instantly again to the same 

 height, and moves slowly along as before, eagerly examining the 

 surface below." 



Wilson visited, in Cape May County, New Jersey, 

 a spot where these birds were nesting, and describes 

 his experiences as follows : 



" During my whole stay these birds flew in crowds around me, 

 and often within a few yards of my head, squeaking like so .many 

 young pigs, which their voice strikingly resembles. A Humming- 

 bird, that had accidentally strayed to the place, appeared suddenly 

 among this outrageous group, several of whom darted angrily at him ; 

 but he shot like an arrow from them, directing his flight straight to- 

 wards the ocean. I have no doubt but the distressing cries of the 



