THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 33 



breed on the Fames (the only locality in Britain where it 

 now nests). 



Sandwich Tern (Sterna cantiaca). First discovered as 

 a British species at Sandwich, in Kent, a summer migrant. 

 Harting says (page 293, "Handbook of British Birds"): 

 "At once distinguishable amongst other terns on the same 

 breeding ground by its superior size, fuller wings, the 

 expanse of which is 2ft. gin., black bill with yellow tip, 

 and black legs and feet." Nests on the Wide Opens. 

 This bird has a peculiar harsh, grating cry, which can be 

 heard at a considerable distance. A large colony nests on 

 the Knoxes. The eggs of this species are two or three 

 in number, and are subject to considerable variation. The 

 numbers of this species nesting on the Fames show a con- 

 siderable increase. 



The Arctic Tern (Sterna hirundo). Breeds in company 

 with the common tern on the Longstone, one of the Fame 

 Islands. According to Mr. J. E. Harting's valuable 

 "Handbook of British Birds," page 290, "when near 

 enough to be clearly distinguished, it may be known from 

 the common tern by its shorter bill, which is wholly red, 

 i.e., without a black tip, and by its longer outer tail 

 feathers, as indicated by the specific name macrura." On 

 closer examination it will be found to have shorter legs 

 than the common species. The young of both kinds have 

 the dorsal plumage mottled and barred with buff ; the bill 

 yellow, with a dark tip, the legs and feet at first yellow, 

 then orange brown, finally red. Nests on the Brownsman 

 and the Wide Opens. The eggs are in such numbers that 

 great care has to be exercised to avoid treading on them. 

 It is practically impossible to distinguish the eggs of this 

 species from its relative, the common tern, except by 

 seeing the birds. 



The Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima). Mr. Fortune 

 said the numbers of this species nesting on the Fames had 

 wonderfully increased during the last few years, which 

 increase was undoubtedly due to the protection it received 

 during the breeding season, and estimated the number 



