LESSER TERN. 



LITTLE TERN. 



PLATE CCXVIII. FIG. I. 



Sterna ati/mfa, PENNANT. MONTAGU. BEWICK. 



" " FLEMING. SELBY. JENYNS. GOULD. 



THE bird before us lays in the sand or gravel along the sea- shore, 

 ;;s also by the borders of rivers: several pairs breed close together. 



The eggs are generally two, or sometimes three in number, of a 

 pale brown, dull green, or stone-colour, spotted and speckled with grey 

 and dark chesnut brown. They are laid by the first week in June. 



The young are hatched in a fortnight: they are able to fly by about 

 the second week in July. Auduboii says that they are fed for a time 

 on the wing by both parents. 



