506 LARIDjE. 



logical Dictionary, published in 1813. Since that period 

 this species has been found breeding at various stations 

 frequented by other Terns, and is ascertained to be, like 

 them, a regular summer visitor here, but not in very large 

 numbers. Mr. Wm. Thompson obtained specimens in 

 summer from a small rocky islet near the entrance to 

 Belfast Bay. Mr. Heysham has recorded a specimen 

 obtained at Brugh Marsh Point, on the Cumberland side 

 of the Sol way, and there is reason to believe that this 

 Tern, with others, breeds on some of the low flat islands 

 in the Sol way Firth. Mr. Thomas Howitt sent me 

 notice of its occurrence in Lancashire. T. C. Eyton, Esq. 

 has recorded its capture in Shropshire. It has been killed 

 in Cornwall and Devonshire, but does not appear so often 

 on the southern shores as on those of the west or east 

 coasts. Mr. Selby, in his account of the Birds of the Farn 

 Islands, says, " Several years ago the keeper of the outer 

 Lighthouse first noticed this as a new and distinct species. 

 Information was given me of the circumstance, and I went 

 over to ascertain the fact, and having killed several, found 

 them to be the Sterna Dougallii, or Roseate Tern of 

 Montagu. Since that period they have greatly increased, 

 and now form a numerous colony, which occupies a large 

 space of ground near to that occupied by the Arctic Terns, 

 and a second station upon one of the Walmseys. The old 

 birds are easily recognised amidst hundreds of the other 

 species, by their peculiar and buoyant flight, long tail, and 

 note, which may be expressed by the word crake, uttered 

 in a hoarse grating key. Its eggs are rather larger than 

 those of S. arctica, and the young differ both in the early 

 or downy, and in the feathered state." The eggs measure 

 one inch nine lines and a half in length, by one inch two 

 lines and a half in breadth ; of a yellowish stone colour, 



