A.RCTIC TERtf. 305 



late as the end of July, but probably the old birds had been 

 robbed more than once, and were making a last effort to 

 rear a brood. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., and myself found 

 a young one unable to fly, on the 7th August, 1885. So 

 soon as the young can fly they follow their parents on 

 their fishing expeditions ; and, as has been already said, 

 early in October they take their departure. 



Mr. Gurney has a common tern, which is white with 

 the exception of a shade of brown on the back of the 

 head ; it was killed at Lowestoft on August 12th, 1853. 



In Norfolk the common tern is variously known as 

 the " darr," " perl/' " stern," or big mow." 



STERNA MACRURA, Naumann * 

 AECTIC TERN. 



There is no reason to suppose that the arctic tern 

 has bred in Norfolk, although from its general simi- 

 larity to the common tern it might easily escape notice. 

 For many years Norfolk naturalists have been on the 

 look out for it, but neither Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Gurney, 

 nor myself ever met with, or heard of, an instance of its 

 nesting here. In the month of April small parties of 

 these birds pass on their way to the more northerly 

 breeding- stations ; probably the bulk proceed direct to 

 their destination, but, at that season of the year, such as 

 are seen here follow the course of the inland waters, very 

 few being met with along the coast line ; on their return 

 migration, however, in August and September, they are 

 almost invariably met with along the coast, and at that 

 time are by no means rare. Some few make their ap- 

 pearance in the middle of July, but the bulk do not 

 appear till August, at which time they are frequently 

 met with. 



As this species is difficult to distinguish on the wing, 

 and is probably often passed over in mistake for 8. 

 fluviatilis, it may be useful to some if I quote from Mr. 



* See foot note at page 301, 

 2Q 



