466 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



THE EOSEATE TERN. 

 STERNA DOUGALLII. 



SINCE the discovery of the Roseate Tern in the Cumbrae Islands 

 by Dr M'Dougall, in 1812, it has been known to frequent a 

 number of localities throughout Scotland; and although many 

 years have elapsed since it totally disappeared from 'The Allans,' 

 where it was originally met with, it is still found in considerable 

 numbers in many parts of the western counties. The principal 

 breeding place within easy reach is situated in Kilbrannan Sound, 

 separating Arran from Kintyre. Two or three years ago I got a 

 basketful of eggs from this station, gathered in a few minutes; 

 but I afterwards regretted having taken so many, as I found on 

 leaving the place that a number of pairs of the common tern were 

 hovering overhead, mixed with the rarer species, from which I 

 inferred that some of the eggs at least in my basket were not those 

 of the Roseate Tern. The whole of them were blown, and about 

 thirty specimens are now before me. They appear somewhat 

 longer, of a lighter colour, and more minutely marked than those 

 of the arctic or common terns. 



A few pairs of this very elegant bird have located themselves 

 on Inchmoin, in Loch Lomond, where they breed in company 

 with the two birds just named and the lesser and sandwich terns. 

 The island is the property of Sir James Colquhoun, Bart., and is 

 strictly protected, as it certainly ought to be. 



The Roseate Tern still frequents the Culbin Sands, in Moray- 

 shire, and has also been found in East Lothian by Mr Turnbull, 

 who states that it is not uncommon, and that it breeds on the isle 

 of May.* 



THE COMMON TERN. 



STERNA HIRUNDO. 

 Stearnan. 



ALTHOUGH called the Common Tern this bird is in reality much 

 less numerous than the species which follows : it is, however, not a 

 scarce bird, being in most cases found in some numbers mixing 



* ' Birds of East Lothian,' page 34. 



