COMMON TERN 



PLATE CCXV. 



Sterna fluviatilis, NAUMANN. 



Sterna hirundo, LINNAEUS. 



THE Common Tern lays its eggs on sand or shingle, 

 making little or no nest beyond scooping out a slight 

 hollow, either by the sea-side or in marshes, on islands, or 

 by the sides of lakes and rivers. 



The eggs vary in colour from dull grey to stone buff 

 or light dull yellowish stone-colour ; they are blotched and 

 spotted with dark reddish brown and blackish brown, and 

 are three in number. They are laid from the latter end 

 of May to the beginning of July. 



The male bird assists the female in the task of sitting 

 during the day, she taking charge of the clutch at night ; 

 in fine weather, however, the heat of the sun seems to be 

 thought sufficient, and the birds leave them exposed to its 

 rays. Ten or twelve pairs of these birds breed together. 

 The young come forth in fifteen or sixteen days, and are, 

 able to fly when about three weeks old. The old ones 

 display much anxiety for their safety, and are very clamor- 

 ous when any one approaches their station, flying round 

 and frequently even striking against the intruder. 



*4J 



