4: NE8T8 AND EGOS OF 



and grass; in this some of the nests were concealed; others were in plain sight; they 

 nnerous as to fairly cover the ground. They were nothing more than 

 slight hollows lined with dry grass, and contained usually two eggs. Mr. drifting 

 says he is satisfied that this is the usual number laid by this species, as then 1 wen- 

 but ti -ntnining three eggs in the hundreds of nests observed; incubation 



had begun in nearly every set, and many were almost hatched! Some of the eggs 

 were laid ire just above high water mark. Mr. Grifflng says that the eggs 



differ from those of the Common Tern, being less pointed at the small end; the 

 markings are usually much finer and more numerous. By placing a tray of the eggs 

 of each species side by side the difference is very marked. They vary in size from 

 " in length by 1.10 to 1.25 in breadth. Mr. Griffing states the birds are very 

 noisy when their nests are being disturbed; hovering overhead they utter a harsh 

 gutteral cry. peculiar to the species. They also have a note which sounds like the 

 syllable tip, tip, HI>. 



73. ALEUTIAN TERN. Xtrnia alnitica Baird. Geog. Dist. Coast of Africa, 

 from the Island of Kadiak to Norton Sound. 



This tern has been found nesting in various parts of Alaska; on the Island of 

 Kadiak, and on some of the Eastern Aleutian Islands. On several islands in the 

 vicinity of St. Michael's, Alaska, this tern, according to Nelson, breeds, laying its 

 eggs directly upon the moss, with no attempt at nest lining, which would be entirely 



< essary there. Its habits do not differ essentially from those of other terns. 

 The eggs measure from 1.65 to 1.85 long by 1.10 to 1.15 broad. They have a ground 

 color, varying from brownish-white to greenish-olive, with bold markings of light 



sh and chestnut brown. 



74. LEAST TERN. N/mw nnliUnnnn (Less.) Geog. Dist. Northern Soutk 

 America, north to California and New England, and casually to Labrador, breeding 

 nearly throughout its range. 



This pretty little Sea Swallow breeds on the Island of Cuba, and other islands 

 of the West Indies, along the coasts of Central America and Mexico. Mr. Stuart 

 says it breeds abundantly on the white sand beaches of the Gulf coast, and on the 

 .Alands of the Atlantic coast of Florida. Mr. Theodore W. Richards in the seasons of 

 1888-'90 found this torn comparatively rare on the Virginia coast. A few pairs were 

 observed breeding on the shelly beaches where once they swarmed by hundreds.* 

 The eggs are laid on the bare sand in May and June. The "Little striker." as it is 



'omul nesting on the Atlantic coast as far north as Massm -bus. 

 how* ' ;i little farther north. The eggs are difficult to observe on the breed- 



Ing grounds, their color being very similar to the sand and broken shells in which 

 they are laid. They are two or three, and seldom four in number They vary from 

 pale greenish to drab or buff, spotted and blotched pretty evenly with brown, umber 

 and lilac of various shades, with an occasional tinge of yellowish; in some tbe mark- 

 ings tend to form a wreath about the larger half. The average 



75. SOOTY TERN. M< > -nn fiilhiiunan Gmel. Geog. Dist. Tropical and sub- 

 tropical coasts of the Globe. In America from Chili to Western Mexico and the. 

 Carolines; casually to New England. 



The Sooty Tern is found both in temperate and tropical regions almost every- 

 where throughout the world. It breeds abundantly on the rocky islets off the coast 



The OoloRtst. IX. p. 79. 



