COMMON TEEN 391 



splash into the open sea, from which they rise with almost 

 the velocity of a leaping trout. Playful, yet a trifle quarrel- 

 some by nature, some of the party pursue their companions 

 with a rapid sweep of wing, now ascending, now descending, 

 until half exhausted in the chase, numbers settle on the 

 water with buoyant pose, to enjoy a quiet swim. 



A remarkably graceful and well-sustained flight is charac- 

 teristic of the whole group of Terns, but on the ground, 

 they make little progress, as their feet are short and very 

 small. 1 



When not incubating, they spend much of their time 

 in the air. 



Food. Small fish constitute the main diet ; insects, 

 crabs, and shrimps, are also eaten. 



Voice. This species, and indeed most other Terns are 

 extremely vociferous when their breeding-haunts are in- 

 truded upon. With angry aspect and gestures the members 

 of a colony will boldly advance to meet the enemy, and, 

 though their voices may be harsh and unmusical, the tone 

 is piteous and most expressive. 



The note resembles the syllables krick or Jcree-ick, the 

 rolling sound of the r being distinctly heard. 



Nest. Large numbers nest together in colonies on low, 

 stony islands of inland lakes, 2 scantily overgrown with 

 grasses and other plants, which form favourite breeding- 

 resorts. The eggs are deposited among loose stones, which 

 they resemble in colour to a great extent, in the hollows 

 between rocks, or more concealed from view in shallow 

 depressions in the grass. 



Smaller numbers, in company with Arctic Terns, breed 

 along our sea-coasts and on marine islands. 3 Here I 



1 During September I have frequently observed flocks of Common 

 and Arctic Terns, prior to migration, standing for a considerable time on 

 the bare sands which skirt the shores of Dublin Bay. The majority of 

 the birds as a rule rest quietly, enjoying a bask in the warm sunshine. 

 A few, however, may be seen pattering about a short distance from the 

 others with wobbling and awkward gait. 



2 In Ireland, no less than fourteen inland lakes are frequented by 

 colonies of considerable numbers of breeding-birds (Ussher). 



3 It is interesting to note that for several years past the Common 

 Tern had ceased to breed on the islands off the Dublin coast. In the 

 summer of 1902 a small colony reappeared on Skerries Island, when I 

 found nests and eggs and saw the old birds carrying fish to feed their 

 young. Since then they have repeatedly bred in this locality, ade- 

 quate protection being afforded them. 



