566 



THE ROSEATE TERN. 



island until the third or fourth day. After this if nothing disturbs them 

 their numbers increase very fast. They begin to lay about the ist of June, 

 never varying three days from that time. While some gather a few dry 

 weeds or a little dry seaweed, others make only a hollow in the sand ; and some 

 deposit their eggs on the stones without any nest at all. They usually lay 

 two eggs, though some nests are found to have three, and some four, eggs. 

 When four are found they 'are never alike; when three they are sometimes 

 alike, and sometimes one of them differs both in shape and color. Where 

 there are only two they are usually very much alike. 



"The male feeds its mate while she is sitting, and may frequently be 

 seen carrying fish to the island, which is often found deposited near the nests. 

 The young bird begins to run soon after it is hatched, and when disturbed 

 it leaves its nest and hides among the stones, or in the grass and weeds. 

 When the young one is large enough to fly, the parent takes it out alone to 

 practice flying. At first it ventures only a few rods, but soon is able to fly a 

 mile or more, but always accompanied by the old bird, the latter never 

 taking more than one of her young out with her at the same time. * * * 

 The young birds reach their growth by the 2Oth of August, and their stay 

 after September i depends upon the abundance of their food. When fish 

 is plentiful they remain until the first of October. They feed entirely upon 

 fish, which they catch by diving. They are greatly troubled by the depreda- 

 tions of Hawks, and in one year 1863 the birds were driven away before 

 their young were ready to fly. The Duck Hawk seems to be their most 

 troublesome enemy." 



Taken in Massachusetts. 



ROSEATE TERNS. 



Photo by Lynds Jones. 



