126 ARCTIC TERN. 



Habits. Its method of fishing is like that of all Terns, viz., 

 precipitating itself into the water to catch surface-swimming 

 fish. On the wing it is an adept at doubling and wheeling 

 most rapidly, almost vying with the Swallow (hence Sea 

 Swallow). It swims well, but is a poor walker. Breeds in 

 Terneries. 



Food. Fish, sand-eels, and Crustacea. 



Nest. May or June. One brood. 



Site. In a hollow in the sand or shingle, not far above high- 

 water mark ; also on tumbled masses of isolated rocks. 



Materials. If any, a few bents. 



Eggs. Two or three. Yellowish stone to olive, spotted 

 and blotched with deep brown and grey. Like Arctic Tern's, 

 but less boldly marked. 



ARCTIC TEEN (Sternus macrura). 



Migrant ; May to September. Especially abundant on the 

 northern and western coasts. In the South it breeds on the 

 Scilly Islands, and sparingly at a few places on the southern 

 and eastern coasts. On Walney Island it breeds abundantly, 

 as it also does in Ireland, Scotland, and the Fame Islands. 



Observation. Distinguishable from the last by its blood-red 

 bill, greyer under parts, with no vinous suffusion, and the 

 slightly longer tail. 



Plumage. Head and nape black; upper parts pearl-grey. 

 Rump and tail white ; under parts pale pearl-grey. Bill blood- 

 red. Legs and feet coral-red. Length 14 in. Female similar. 

 In winter, forehead flecked with white ; under parts whiter, and 

 bright red of the bill and legs loses its brilliancy. Young : 

 these go through several changes between the nestling and fully 

 adult stages ; generally they resemble the adults in winter 

 dress, the plumage showing signs of immaturity in its more 

 sombre and mottled effect. Nestling : almost similar to Common 

 Tern. 



Language. Like the Common Tern. 



Habits. Like the Common Tern. 



Food. Like the Common Tern. 



Nest. Early June. One brood. 



Site. In hollow scooped out by the bird on shingle, not far 

 above high-water mark. 



Materials. If any, a few pieces of seaweed or bents. 



Eggs. Two or three. In colour, markings, and extent of 

 variety, practically indistinguishable from those of Common 

 Tern; perhaps rather darker and more boldly blotched, but 

 smaller and slightly pyriform. 



