THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 561 



of Sleswick-Holstein and East Frisia, which, rejoicing in their recent 

 union, thus gaily disport themselves, but a few minutes being 

 required to take them back to their home. 



Somewhat later, the same birds are met with in much larger 

 numbers. They then come in swarms very close to the sand-island, 

 dropping incessantly down to the surface of the water in pursuit of 

 Sand-eels (Ammodytes tolianus), which are very abundant there. 

 The birds at first consume these themselves, but later on carry 

 them to their young. The young appear on the scene very 

 soon after their education is finished, arrayed in the mottled 

 plumage of their early youth ; and old and young may then be 

 seen fishing near the dune until the end of the summer. 



This species breeds on the coast of England, and from the coasts 

 of Jutland southwards to those of Spain, as well as on the Canary 

 Islands. It also occurs as a breeding species on the Atlantic coast of 

 North America ; and, according to Seebohm, is a common summer 

 resident on the Black Sea and Caspian. 



364. Roseate Tern [DOUGALL'S SEESCHWALBE]. 

 STERNA DOUGALLI, Montagu. 



Sterna Dougalli. Nauniami, x. 78. 



Roseate Tern. Dresser, viii. 273. 



Hirondelle de iiier Dougall. Teinminck, Manuel, ii. 738, iv. 457. 



I have only twice obtained this elegant bird during my long 

 sxperience on this island, both specimens having been old birds in 

 summer plumage. Some uncertainty still exists as to the home of 

 this species. According to Seebohm, we may consider it to be a 

 resident of the coasts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 



It used formerly to be not uncommon as a breeding species on the 

 coasts of Great Britain, but is said to have become very rare there 

 in recent times. It also nests on the east coast of North America, 

 on the coast of Ceylon, and on the west and north-east coasts of 

 Australia and New Caledonia, but is not met with in New 

 Zealand. 



The old bird in summer plumage has the beak almost entirely 

 black ; the feet are scarlet-red (scharlachroth). 



2N 



