BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN in 



pairs were to nest together, there would not be 

 a sufficient food supply for them, as the river 

 offers a much narrower scope for fishing operations 

 than the sea. 



The Tern is an extremely shy bird, and leaves 

 the eggs while the intruder is yet a long way 



COMMON TERN'S NEST AND EGGS. 



off. On very warm sunny days the Terns some- 

 times allow the sun's heat to hatch the eggs, and I 

 have seen them leave their eggs quite unconcernedly 

 to the sun's tender mercies and fly off for a holiday. 

 It will be found that ground sloping towards the 

 north is rarely used for nesting, as the rays of 

 the sun have less power on north-lying ground. 



A first visit to a large colony of these birds is 

 an event which will not be readily forgotten by the 



