CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. 57 
Halifax, N.S. (Jones.) Not uncommon, and breeding on Sable 
island, N.S., August, 1899. (J/acoun.) 
73. Aleutian Tern. 
Sterna aleutica BAIRD. 1869. 
The Aleutian tern arrives at St. Michael, Norton sound, by 
June Ist and remains until the latter part of August. It is very 
abundant in the vicinity, breeding plentifully on a small island 
just at the north end of the “canal.” (Zurner.) These birds 
extend their range to the head of Norton bay and reach the 
Siberian coast at Bering strait. They undoubtedly winter in the 
vicinity of Kadiak island and the coast of the northern Pacific 
adjacent thereto. (JVe/son.) 
BREEDING NotEs.—The arctic tern is so intimately associated 
with the Aleutian tern, both in nesting habits and procuring food, 
that the remarks for one will apply to the other. Their nests are 
sometimes placed within two feet of each other, and apparently 
without causing animosity between the species. (Zurner.) This 
species is strictly limited to the sea-coast, and breeds upon small 
dry islands along the coast. The birds reach St. Michael from 
May 20th to 30th and are found scattered along the coast in com- 
pany with the arctic tern for a short time, but early in June they 
gather about the islands where they nest. One of these islands 
is about a mile from St. Michael, in the mouth of a tide- 
channel known as the ‘canal.’ This island is about half a mile 
across, rises about thirty feet from the beach in asharp incline, 
and has a rather level top covered witha thick mat of grass, moss 
and other vegetation. The upland is dry, and here the birds breed, 
laying their eggs directly upon the moss, with no attempt at lin- 
ing, which would be entirely unnecessary there. About twenty 
pairs were found on this island and about forty pairs on another 
island about 18 miles to the eastward. (/Ve/son.) 
74. Least Tern. 
Sterna antillarum (LESS.) COUES. 1862. 
Accidental on our Atlantic coast and the Great Lakes. 
Apparently very rare around Newfoundland. (Reeks.) Very 
are in Nova Scotia. One shot at Polly bog. (Downs.) Audubon 
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