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of the visitor than the Common Tern. It is less in size than 

 any of the common species of Gull, with which, however, it is 

 often confounded by the unobservant. It is more lively and 

 active in its motions, not ordinarily flying in circles, but, if 

 I may use the expression, "rambling" through the air, 

 frequently diverging to the right or left, and raising or 

 depressing itself at frequent intervals. These characters 



THE COMMON TERN. 



alone are sufficient to distinguish the Tern from any of the 

 Gulls ; but it presents yet more striking features. Its 

 tail is elongated and forked like that of the Swallow, and 

 from this character rather than from its flight it is com- 

 monly known as the Sea Swallow. Its mode of taking 

 its prey is totally different from that of the Gulls. Very 

 frequently a single Tern may be observed pursuing its 

 course in a line with the breakers on a sandy shore at 



