TERNS. 107 



small and rather unfitted for walking in ad- 

 ults, yet the birds swim well in quiet water. 

 Ocean coasts and estuaries and fresh waters. 

 Nests placed on sand, rocks, or -bushes; eggs 

 1-5, similar to those of gulls. Procure their 

 prey, which usually consists of small fishes, 

 by diving perpendicularly downward, often 

 becoming wholly submerged in water. The 

 flight is swift with graceful, swallow-like 

 movements; when the birds are searching the 

 water beneath their bills are pointed down- 

 ward^ After alighting, and at other times 

 when on land, the wings are often stretched 

 upward. When a number are flying together, 

 frequently in response to a signal cry of a 

 leader, all will dart obliquely downward and 

 fly rapidly along the water. Downy young, 

 buffy spotted above with dusky, plate, I. 



74. GULL-BILLED TERN. 

 Large, 14; bill, thick and gull-like, fig. 

 76; tail, slightly forked; white, head and 

 nape, black. In winter, head white mottled 



