570 LARID^E. 



circling till its pertinacity becomes annoying. When 

 feeding, it presents a far pleasanter appearance. Then, 

 altogether heedless of intrusion, it skims along the surface 

 of the drains in the marshes, profiting by its length of 

 wing and facility of wheeling, to capture flying insects. 

 At least, if this be not its object, I can in no other way 

 account for the peculiar character of its flight. At other 

 times, either alone, or in company .with a few other indi- 



t 



THE LESSER TERN. 



viduals of the same species, it is seen flying slowly along, 

 some fifteen or twenty feet above the surface of a shallow 



sake of the insects disturbed by his movements. During the sum- 

 mer months, the shingle, on a sunny beach, is haunted by myriads 

 of sluggish flies, which rarely take wing unless thus disturbed. That 

 the Chimney Swallow often accompanies the traveller for this 

 object, I have no doubt ; as I have seen them fly to and fro before 

 me, darting in among the swarming flies, and so intent in their 

 chase, as to pass within a few yards of my feet every time they 

 crossed my path. s 



