ARCTIC TERN 



Sterna macrura 



Arctic Tern is without doubt the most abundant of 

 all the Terns which visit our Islands to rear their young. 

 It breeds in most suitable localities throughout our Islands, 

 from the Shetlands to the Scilly Isles. 



The Arctic Tern differs very little from its congener 

 the Common Tern in its habits. Like that bird, it loves an 

 isolated spot in which to rear its young, preferring some 



low rocky island, or sandy promontory which is not much disturbed. It arrives 

 on our coasts during the latter half of April, and commences its migration 

 in the end of August, gradually working southwards through September and 

 October. Like all the Terns it is gregarious, and breeds in colonies, varying 

 in numbers from only a few pairs to thousands of birds. It prefers uninhabited 

 islands for nesting purposes, and is often found associating with the Common 

 Tern, and sharing the same island, but the respective colonies are usually 

 separate. On the wing, it is a most graceful bird, beating along the coast with 

 slow easy motions of its long pointed wings, hovering now and then, like some 

 Hawk, as it spies some unfortunate fish, and plunging down into the water with 

 a tremendous splash, rising anon with its silvery prey held crosswise in its 

 sharp bill. It rarely perches on the ground, except during a storm, or when 

 gorged with food, but is often seen sitting on the top of some post in the 

 water. Occasionally it may be seen floating lightly on the water, its wings 

 and tail held high ; but it never dives, and seldom swims for any distance ; 

 even when wounded, it continues to attempt to fly rather than seek safety by 

 swimming out to sea. 



The cry of the Arctic Tern is a loud long-drawn ' keee-aarr} or ' krr-eeej 

 common to most of the Terns, but its alarm-notes are a short sharp ' kik' 

 VOL. in. K 37 



