306 



LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS - LONGIPENNES. 



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Audubon dosoribcs tliis Tern as being a noisy, restless bird, emitting a sharp shrill 

 cry whenever its breeding-place is approached ; and adds that it is buoyant and graci - 

 ful in its movements, but unsteady and flickering in its flight. It will make a diish 

 in one direction, and be off in anotlier, with the quickness of thought. When fisliinj;, 

 it plunges perpendicularly downward like a shot, immersing part of its body — ami 

 immediately reascending. Its food consists of small fish and mollusks. In the 

 spring it returns to those islands regularly about the 10th of April, and de])avts 

 southward early in September. 



In 1842 I found this species breeding in a large colony on the low sandy Island of 

 Muskegat, where they shared its large area with the common species and the Arctic, 

 as well as with the Laughing Gull. There did not then appear to be any separation 

 of the diiferent species, but all were intermingled. The larger number were of tlu- 

 roseate species. In 1852 I visited a small island of about fifty acres near Cape 

 Cliarles, and about eighteen miles northeast from Old Point. It was occupied by 

 about thirty pairs of this species, but by no other Tern. And in the summer of 187.'! 

 I liad an opportunity of observing another small colony on the Island of Penikesc. 

 In the last-named instance the larger part of the island was in the exclusive occupa- 

 tion of the hlrundo ; the low marshy portion was occupied by the Least Tern ; and a 

 small high promontory by the Roseate Tern. It was the month of August, and tliis 

 species, having been uninterrupted in its breeding, had ceased laying, nearly all its 

 young having left their nests, but being still cared for by the parent birds. 



There is a noticeable difference between this and both the hirumfo and tho 

 paradisa'ii, which, having been once carefully studied, will not be lost sight of. Tlic 

 present species is easily distinguished in its flight by its long and graceful tail-feathers, 

 its more brilliant under parts, and its more regular and even motions in flight. Its 

 voice is different, less sharp, more hoarse, and its cry of week is more prolonged anil 

 less frequently enunciated, than is the case with the other species n.amed. It is less 

 clamorous when its nest is approached, hovers overhead at a higher point, ami 

 rarely makes a rush at one's head, as does the impetuous pamdisiva. At Cape Charles, 

 where the eggs were fresh, all the birds kept at a respectful distance, and noiu! 

 could be procured. At Muskegat, where the eggs were incubated, the birds could 

 easily be obtained ; but it soon ceased to be necessary, as they could readily be identi- 

 fied. At Penikese, where they occupied the part of the island most remote from tiic 

 dwellings, they were much less disturbed by the presence of intruders ; and only avIkii 

 their young were handled, or nuide to utter an outcry, did they change their calm 

 inspection of our proceedings for an excited and clamorous utterance of their dis- 

 pleasure — rarely making, however, any attempt to attack the intruder or swoop 

 down toward his head. 



Captain 0. N. IJrooks, of Guilford, Conn., who is the proprietor of FavUknei's 

 Island, in the Sound, where a large colony of this Tern breed, has furnished mc, 

 through Dr. Wood, of Windsor Hill, some interesting notes on its habits, Avhich arc 

 here given in substance. It makes its appearance about the 16th of May, seldom 

 varying three days from this date. At first six or eight of these birds are seen well 

 up in the air. These hover over the island a while, and then disappear. The next 

 day the same individuals return, with an addition of twelve or more to their number ; 

 but none of them alight on the island until the third or fourth day. After this, il 

 nothing disturbs them, their number increases very fast. They begin to lay about 

 the 1st of June, never varying three days from that time. While some gtather a few 

 dry weeds or a little dry seaweed, others make only a hollow in the sand ; and sonic 

 deposit their eggs on the stones without any nest at all. They usually lay two eggs. 



