SANDWICH-TERN 101 



SAND WICH-TERN 

 [F. B. KIRKMAN] 



The Sandwich-tern 1 is of stouter build, has a relatively longer 

 bill and a shorter tail than any of the preceding species. 2 These three 

 features, taken together, make it easy at once to recognise the bird 

 in flight, even when seen at a distance. At close quarters, or seen 

 through binoculars, it is, of course, identified by its black beak with 

 yellow tip, and the striking velvety black mane-shaped crest, which 

 gives it almost a martial appearance. 



Its usual note, again, is distinctive a sharp " kirr-whit" not to be 

 mistaken when once heard. The alarm-note, uttered chiefly when 

 intruders are near the nests, is not unlike that of the Arctic and 

 common species. If heard at a distance it sounds to me like a some- 

 what disgruntled "quk," and, near to, like "keek," or "kweek" or 

 " qrreek" It varies in pitch with the intensity of the bird's feelings. 

 The species also utters the " qwerr " or " qwarr " noted in the case of 

 the other species, but not, as far as my observation extends, in con- 

 junction with the "kweek.'" 



In some of its habits the Sandwich-tern differs markedly from its 

 British congeners, the common, roseate, Arctic, and lesser. Jffc'an ives 

 at its British breeding-haunts at the end of March or early in Ap t r&, 



1 Named after Sandwich in Kent, where, in 1784, it was first observed. 



J The relative length of the beak and body, as given by H. Saunders in his Manual of 

 British Birds, 2nd ed. , are 



Body (with tail). Beak. 



Common-tern . . 14'25 inches . . . 1 '70 inches 



Arctic . . 14-50 ... 1-60 



Roseate . . 15'50 . . . 1'90 



Sandwich . . 16 2'50 



The relative length of body and tail are given by Naumann in vol. xi. pp. 129, 138, 154, 164, 

 of the Vogel Mitteleuropas as follows : 



Body (with tail to extreme tips). Tail to extreme tips. 



Common-tern . . 30'6 to 35'3 cm. . . 14'7 to 15'8 cm. 



Arctic . . 34 to 39 cm. . . . 17 to 19 cm. 



Roseate . . 35'50 cm. . . . 18'5 cm. 



Sandwich ,, . . 36 to 37 '50 cm. . . 15'30 cm. 



