VOL. XIV.] THE BLACK TERN. 123 



hen had induced the cock to come and see for himself that 

 there really was cause for anxiety and that it was not a case 

 of mere feminine nerves. They flew away, and so I left them. 

 They followed me until I reached the high road, and one bird 

 immediately went back to the nest. I felt vexed with them, 

 as it turned out a glorious day after all, and I had nothing 

 else to do. However, I wanted them to sit tight as I had a 

 chance to try again later on. 



BLACK TERN. 



The male about to brood. 

 {Photographed by E. L. Turner.) 



Eight days later I returned to the same spot. The Terns 

 were then inured to the tent and gave me no trouble. But 

 that day persisted in being dull and wet. An intermittent 

 drizzle fell most of the time. This, of course, induced the 

 bird to sit tight and I could get no photographs showing 

 movement. However, I was quite happy watching her. 

 Black Terns always fill me with a peculiar kind of joy. They 

 are so beautiful. I have long been very famihar with them 

 on the wing during migration, but I had never before been 

 close to an adult bird in breeding dress. The black head and 



