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314 



LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



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the place he noticed flocks of Terns converging from various parts of the ocean to a 

 spot apparently about a mile in front of him, and toward which he proceeded ; and on 

 surmounting a low ridge the whole scene was vlisclosed. A gradual incline of a quarter 

 of a mile terminated in a plain of ten or fifteen acres in extent, which was literally 

 covore<l with these birds. This plain was surrounded by low moiuitains, except 

 toward the side on Avhich he stood. No description could convey an adecpiate idea 

 of the effect prodiu'ed by the thousands upon thousands of these wild sea-birds, hovir- 

 ing and screaming over this arid cinder-bed — the eggs and the young being scattered 

 so tliickly on the ground that in some instances it was impossible to avoid treading 

 up'vi them. During the short walk down the slope, large flocks of parent birds 

 hovered over their heads, and saluted the party with j)laintive cries. On arriviui; 

 within the precinct of the breeding-grounds the numbers of the birds increased. Large 

 flocks were arriving in endless succession from seaward ; others rose in clouds from 

 the ground, and joining them, the Avhole assemblage wheeled around until he was 

 almost made giddy by their gyrations. He sat down on a lump of cinder; and the 

 birds l)eing at length convinced that he was not there with hostile purposes, went on 

 with their ordinary routine of incubation. There were young of all sizes, from tlic 

 little callow nestlings, just hatched, to the newb, fledged birds that fluttered anil 

 crawled like young Pigeons. There were also numbi?rs of egjs exposed on the bare 

 ground. In most instances the old birds sat, each on its own solitary treasure, hissing 

 defiance as he approached, and fighting manfully if he attempted to remove it. The 

 young were of a very light sooty color, both above and beneath, the ends of most of 

 the feathers having a white spot the size of a pea, which gives to them a speckled 

 appearance*. Captain Sperling was informed that all these Terns leave the Island of 

 Ascension as soon as the young can fly. 



Colonel Grayson met with this species (variety rrlssalls) in the vicinity of the Tres 

 Marias Islands, and also found it breeding on the small island of Isabella, near Sau 

 Bias. It was not observed near the main shore, but usually far out to sea. It secmeil 

 to be semi-nocturnal in its habits, and to be a constant resident in the localities cited. 



Examples from the Pacific, taken in the Wilkes Exploring Expedition, are identiciil 

 with those found on the coast of the United States. This species was observed In 

 Mr. Peale throughout all the islands of the Dangerous Archipelago, and on most of 

 the coral islands of the Pacific. At Honden Island it was found in great numbers 

 on the 21st of August, when the young were just able to fly. The nests were mere 

 cavii>s in the coral sand, under low bushes. Their number was so great, and they 

 were sv> near each other, that great care was required in walking to avoid crushiui,' 

 both young and old birds. 



Oct. 7, 1839, Dr. I'ickering vifited Cora Isb.ul, an annular coral reef, inundated at 

 high water, with the exception of two banks, one of Avhich was covered by a grove of 

 trees. Great nambers of birds were flying over ai.d about the grove. The Tenis, 

 and especially Sterna fidiginosa, came out from v.nder the low branches in v;ist 

 numbers. There were three species of Sterna, one of Frerjata, and three of »S'((/'' 

 observed on this island ; and nearly all of them were engaged in rearing their youii^. 

 The Sooty Tern was present in larger luimbers than all the others combined, its 

 breeding-place occupying the weather side of the grove, or that most exposed to tlie 

 sea. Here the treas presented a dense growth of branches, reaching almost to the 

 ground; and benenth these the birds were obliged to force themselves out before tlxv 

 coidd take to flight The eggs of this sjjccies were laid on the ground, under the thicket , 

 witliout any nest, but with some regularity, and at a distance of about two and a halt 

 feet apart. In two nistances only, out of at least a tlioiisand nesta examined, were 



