THE GREAT, OR COMMON TERN BLACK SKIMMER. 409 



THE GREAT, OB COMMON TERN. 



The Common Tern is an inhabitant of both continents, being met 



with on the coasts 

 of most parts of 

 Europe as far north 

 as the ever incle- 

 ment shores of 

 Greenland and 

 Spitzbergen ; it is 

 also found on the 

 Arctic coasts of 

 Siberia and Kamt- 

 schatka. In the 

 winter it migrates 

 to the Mediterra- 

 nean, Madeira, and 

 the Canary Islands. 



n 

 breeds along all the 



coasts of the Northern and Middle States, and penetrates north into 

 the fur countries, up to the 57th parallel of latitude. They also 

 breed on the sand-bars of the great western lakes, being frequent 

 in those of Erie, Huron and Superior. In short, no bird is more 

 common along the sea coasts, and lakes, of the whole northern 

 hemisphere, within the limits of cool or moderate temperature. 



The Great Tern arrives on the coast of New Jersey about the 

 middle of April, and soon after they are seen on the shores of New 

 England, where they are known by the name of the Mackerel Gull, 

 appearing, with the approach of that fish, towards the places of their 

 Bummer residence. In New York it is dignified, for the same reason, 

 with 'the appellation of the Sheep's- Head Gull, prognosticating also, 

 the arrival of that dainty fish in the waters of the State. About the 

 middle of May, still gregarious as they arrive, they commence with 

 the cares of reproduction. Artless in contrivance, the Terns remedy 

 the defect of a nest, by selecting for their eyries, insulated sand-bars, 

 wide beaches, but most commonly desolate, bare, and small rock/ 

 islets, difficult of access, and rarely visited by any thing but them 

 selves and birds of similar habits. A small hollow scratch on tl* 

 surface of the shelving rock, with the aid of a little sand or gravel 

 merely sufficient to prevent the eggs from rolling off, are all tli4 

 preparations employed by these social and slovenly birds. 



