127 



CASPIAN TEEN. 



PLATE CCXIII. FIG. II. 



Sterna Caspia, SELBT. JENYXS. EYTOX. GOULD. 



THE nest is a mere hollow scratched in the sand. 



The eggs are two or three in number, of a yellowish stone or pale 

 olive green colour, spotted with grey and reddish brown or blackish 

 brown. They are hatched in about twenty days. 'Although the birds 

 use great exertions to prevent an intruder from approaching the nest 

 and eggs, by flying over his head, and making a considerable noise, 

 yet it has been remarked that when they are once disturbed, they do 

 not easily return to their nest, and are said even not to revisit the 

 same spot the following year if they are fired at/ 



