Birds of Massachusetts. 231 
young are first hatched, they tear fish in pieces to 
feed them; afterwards they drop the fish among 
them, where it is seized by the strongest; but they. oo. 
find other resources in the insects which they collect E ia 
for themselves, rambling near the spot, but always — ag" 
attending to the voice of the old bird, when it warns — - 
them that danger is nigh. In winter they migrate 
to warmer regions. 
The RosrarE Tern, Sterna Dougalli, has re- 
ceived its popular name from the color of the breast, 
which, however, soon fades after death. Audubon 
found them in great numbers, breeding, on the Keys 
of Florida, and Nuttall procured one specimen at 
Chelsea Beach. Its eastern visit was probably acci- 
dental. 
The SinvEeny Tern, Sterna minuta, the same 
with the Lesser Tern of Wilson, comes to us in the. 
spring, later than the preceding. It is not uncommon 
on our shores, where it is seen dashing into the 
water, like a little fish-hawk, to secure its prey, or 
chasing insects over the pools and marshes. It some- 
times goes into the interior, and has been found at a 
great distance from the sea. They are generally 
careless and unsuspicious, and pay little regard to an 
observer. 
Bonaparte’s GuLL, Larus Bonapartii, is seen 
occasionally, early in autumn, on the coast of this 
State, and its whistling is heard in the air, as it pro- 
ceeds to the south or inland, to feed. 
