GULLS AND TERNS. 55 



ROSEATE TERN. 



It is with some hesitation that I include this 

 species, the Sterna dougalli of Montagu, in the 

 present work, because if it really does visit our 

 coasts now to breed, it is so exceedingly rare and 

 local, that any ordinary observer of bird life by 

 the sea could scarcely hope to meet with it. It 

 is interesting to remark that the Roseate Tern was 

 first made known to science from a skin that was 

 sent to Montagu, from the Cumbrae Islands, in the 

 Firth of Clyde. It was subsequently found breeding 

 on the Fame Islands by Selby ; it formerly bred 

 on the Scilly Islands, as well as on Foulney and 

 Walney ; but so far as I can ascertain there is no 

 direct evidence that it breeds at any of these places 

 now. It may be distinguished from the Common 

 Tern by its rosy under plumage ; but as this is very 

 apt to fade, a still more infallible distinction, accord- 

 ing to Mr. Saunders, is the white inner margin to 

 the primaries. 



The Roseate Tern is a very late migrant, not 

 reaching its breeding places until towards the 

 end of May. In its flight and habits generally, 

 it very closely resembles those of the preceding 

 species ; but its note is hoarser than that of 

 the Common Tern. The favourite breeding 

 grounds of this Tern appear to be low rocky islets 

 and so far as our islands are concerned it is 

 partial to nesting among a larger colony of Arctic 



