SANDWICH TEKN 385 



common species being designated collectively ' Sea-swallows.' 

 In the early season, that is, soon after its arrival on our 

 shores and before incubation has commenced, the Sandwich 

 Tern spends much of its time on the wing. 



Flight. The flight is buoyant and rapid ; yet as in the 

 case of other Terns, the beat of the pinion is slow and 

 evenly-measured. Mr. Warren has noted, especially on 

 fine, bright days, the manner in which this species 

 ascends in wide wheeling circles, until almost out of 

 sight. 



Voice. The cry is peculiarly harsh, unmusical, and 

 scolding in character ; the note may be syllabled gareek, 

 greek, or kirhttt. 



Food. The staple diet, on which the young are chiefly 

 fed, appears to be Sand-eels. Small surface-swimming fish, 

 such as herring-fry, and in less quantity, crabs, shrimps, 

 and insects, are also eaten. 



Nest. The Sandwich Tern breeds on islands as well 

 as on the mainland. Low-lying, sandy shores, preferably 

 those studded with shingle and bits of dried seaweed, are 

 the sites usually selected ; but when persecuted, the birds 

 will often shift their quarters. The nests, many of which 

 may be in close proximity, are only slightly hollowed out. 

 In some places they are more or less built up with bits of 

 sticks, or dry bent, and scantily lined with fragments of 

 dried grass or seaweed ; but the eggs are usually laid in 

 the sand in naked hollows, which are loosely surrounded 

 with stones and bits of sea- wrack. 



The eggs, two, more rarely three, to the clutch, vary in 

 colour from greyish-white to rich stone or buff. Some are 

 blotched and streaked with black and grey, others with 

 reddish-brown. 



Geographical distribution. Abroad, the Sandwich Tern 

 breeds in South-eastern Europe, Asia, and North Africa, 

 also in North America. On migration, it reaches Cape 

 Colony, Central America, and India. 



DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 



PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial. Top of head and back 

 of neck, black, the feathers of the latter are pointed and 

 slightly elongated forming a crest ; back, scapulars, and 

 wings, ' pearl ' grey ; primaries, dark greyish on the outer 



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