LESSEE, TETIN. 45 



male, at March, the 7th. of May, 1850. In Surrey, some 

 have occurred at Frensham Pond, near Grodalming. 



It is seen in Ireland on different parts of the coast. 



In Scotland, as far as Aberdeen. In Orkney it is not 

 uncommon. 



The Lesser Tern breeds on the Northumbrian coast, nearly 

 opposite to Holy Island. So too in Kent, about Yanlet 

 Islet, on the Thames; in Lincolnshire, at Skegness; and on 

 the Cumberland coast; on the Solway Frith Skinburness is 

 a station; also in Scotland, upon Guillon Point, above North 

 Berwick, on the Frith of Forth. 



These birds are found both inland, by the sides of lakes 

 and rivers, and along the sea-coast, frequenting low gravelly 

 and sandy shores. 



They arrive early in May, and depart towards the end of 

 August. The migratory journey is performed, it is said, in 

 pairs or small parties, and that both by . day and night, 

 high in the air. 



They are sociable among themselves, and not shy unless 

 alarmed. 



Their flight is similar in its easy and graceful character 

 to that of the other species, and performed with quickly- 

 repeated beatings of the wings; but in stormy weather they 

 appear to be unable to buffet much with the gales, and 

 frequently alight on the ground, generally turning themselves 

 towards the wind. 



Their food consists of young fish, shrimps, crabs, insects, 

 and Montagu and Meyer say, some of the smaller sea- weeds. 

 In search of these they frequently alight on the water, besides 

 their habit of descending on their prey. 



The note sounds like 'creek, creek,' uttered in a high 

 pitch; but though there is nothing very 'recherche' in the 

 musical performance of this or any other sea-birds, yet to 

 the ear of the naturalist every sound in nature is pleasant 

 and grateful. 



The bird before us lays in the sand or gravel along the 

 sea-shore, as also by the borders of rivers: several pairs 

 breed close together. 



The eggs are generally two, or sometimes three in number, 

 of a pale brown, dull green, or stone-colour, spotted and 

 speckled with grey and dark chesnut brown. They are laid 

 by the first week in June. 



The young are hatched in a fortnight: they are able to 



