276 BIRDS. 



in the passing ranks of whimbrels moving in flocks. It is 

 said to be very bold in defence of its eggs, and is also said 

 to be partial to land berries. Eggs, 4, 2^ inches ; greenish, 

 with brown blotches. 



Eskimo Curlew. A rare straggler from North America 

 to the British Islands, to which it has found its way about 

 half-a-dozen times. 



CHAPTER XV. THE TERNS, GULLS, 

 AND SKUAS. 



[An important group, including the majority of our sea- 

 birds, most of which are resident, others being mere 

 stragglers. These birds are web-footed, and rapid on the 

 wing. The terns have been termed not inaptly the 

 swallows of the sea, and their swallow-like flight as they 

 skim the waves recalls the little migrants, as does also 

 their awkwardness on land. They lay their eggs on the 

 earth without any approach to a nest. They are, in some 

 localities, great enemies of the gulls, destroying their 

 eggs and young. Nine residents ; twelve regular, eleven 

 irregular, visitors.] 



i. THE TERNS. 



The Common Tern, with us from May to September, is 



a grey bird with black crown and white underparts. The 



* Common tail, as in all this group, is deeply forked. 



Tern. ^ Q fan an( j ^ a jj are orange-coloured. This 

 tern feeds, as do the rest, on small surface fish, and, 

 though no diver, may be seen plunging on the shoals 

 and generally securing a prize. Eggs, 3, i ^ inch ; grey, 

 with dark blotches. 



