THE GANNET, NODDY, &c. 121 



which being taken away, they lay another j if that is alfo taken, then a 

 third; but never more for that feafon. The young birds, during the 

 firft year, are of a dufky hue, fpeckled with numerous triangular white 

 fpots. 



THE NODDY 



IS in manners clofely related to the boobies; but in fize refembles 

 the greater fea-fwallow, to which clafs his bill is conformable ; but 

 he has the feet of the fea-mcw. All his plumage is deep brown, except 

 a kind of white cap on his head ; like the boobies he alights on veffels, 

 and even on the fift, if held out to him. Is found near the tropics, and 

 between them. Are very numerous ; during hatching time they prey to- 

 gether in great flocks ; when that is paft, each becomes folitary, and 

 wanders at large over the vaft ocean. Their eggs are good foodi but 

 muft be fought in rocks at no little rlfk. 



THE SEA-SWALLOWS, OR TERNS, 



COMPOSE a fmall family of birds, which, in many re- 

 fpe<5ls, refemble the land birds of the fame name. Their plu- 

 mage is black and white; their wings very long and thin ; their tails 

 forked ; their flight alfo is fimilar ; agile, fwift, and, as it were, wanton. 

 They Ikim the furfacc of the water for their prey, and fcize flying fuch 

 little fifh as they there catch. In other refpe(5bs they differ; their feet 

 have fmall membranes attached to the toes, and their bills are very dif- 

 tincft. Though feemingly capable of fwimming, they are not fond of it, 

 but dart down on the water, and inftantly dart up from it. They live 

 ordinarily on the banks of the fea, or rivers, or lakes. _ They are always 

 chattering or fcreaming, and are extremely noify in nefting-time. They 

 frequent our coafts in fpring, return in autumn. Some of them partly 

 feed on infects : are bold birds ; not frightened at fire-arms. Their legs 

 are (hort, little adapted for walking, bare of feathers partly up the thigh ; 

 bill fl:raight, narrow, pointed, fmooth, and flatted on the fides. The 

 kind is very greatly fpread« 



X 2 The 



