THE TERN. 299 



are sharp and pointed, and without indentations. They pass their 

 lives at a great distance from land, and do not approach the shore 

 except for breeding purposes. To this sub-order belong the Sea 

 Swallows (Sterna), Scissors-bills or Skimmers (Rynchops), the Sea 

 Gulls (Laridce), the Labbes (Stercoraria), the Petrels (Procel- 

 laria), Albatross (Diomedea). 



THE TERN (Sterna hirundo, Linn.). 



ENGLISH SYNONYMS. Common Tern : Selby, McGillivray, Morris. 

 Greater Tern : Montagu, Bewick, Pennant. Local names : Sea Swallow, 

 Gull Teaser, Tarney, Tarrock, Kippock, Scraye. 



LATIN SYNONYMS. Sterna hirundo: Pennant, Montagu, Bewick, Flemming, 

 Selby, Jenyns, Gould, Yarrell, Latham. Sterna major : Brisson. Hirundo 

 marina ; Ray, Wiiloughby. 



There are six species of Sterna, properly so called, described by 

 British naturalists; and six others, according to McGillivray, 

 nearly resembling them in form, colour, and habit. The true 

 Sterna has the bill straight, slender, compressed, and tapering ; 

 it is about the length of the head, with the edge sharp, and the tip 

 elongated and pointed ; the upper mandible armate ; legs short, 

 slender ; anterior toes small ; membrane emarginate ; wings long 

 and pointed; tail forked. These birds are remarkable for their 

 buoyant, graceful, easy flight, and the soft, loose texture of their 

 plumage. Their prevailing colours are a pale bluish grey or black, 

 and white. 



The Tern, or Sea Swallow, as it is commonly called, on account 

 of its long pointed wings and forked tail, appears to be, like the 

 Swallow properly so called, a perfect disregarder of rest. They 

 may be seen soaring in the air at a very great height, and then 

 suddenly darting down upon their prey, which their piercing 

 sight has enabled them to descry in the water. Often, too, they 

 may be noticed skimming over the surface of the waves with 

 astonishing rapidity, and seizing in their flight any fish which is 

 imprudent enough to show itself. Their flight over the sea 

 seems incessant, and it is rarely they are seen swimming. When 

 they need rest, they seek some solitary, isolated rock in the 

 ocean. They congregate in flocks more or less numerous, and 

 they manifest so much attachment for individuals of their own 

 species, that, when one of them is wounded by the sportsman's 



