arc very delicate-looking little creatures, with their tiny pink-webbed feet, and 

 are absolutely indistinguishable from the ground when crouching beside some 

 large stone or among the ^r.ivel and bits of driftwood. The old birds are 

 very attentive to them, and feed them with half-digested fish, giving them 

 tiny pieces at a time from their bills. On the approach of danger the old 

 birds leave them, trusting, no doubt, to their protective colouring, and fly 

 about in the vicinity, calling anxiously till the danger is past, often betraying 

 their whereabouts by hovering above them. The Lesser Tern does not remain 

 long with us, generally departing for its winter quarters before the end of 

 September. 



149 



