151 



THE COMMON TERN. 



Sterna fluviatilis, Nauni. 



Common Terns were first noticed at their breeding-quarters 

 in Kent on tlie lltb of April, followed by a second pair on 

 the 14th, and by the main body between that date and the 

 23rd. The full complement had arrived before the end 

 of the month. 



A few birds were seen on the Devonshire coast on the 17th 

 of April, and small numbers were noticed passing in Hert- 

 fordshire on the 19th and 30th, in Cumberland on the 22nd, 

 in Shropshire on the 21th, in Dorset and Gloucester on the 

 28th, and in S. Devonshire on the 30th. 



The first bird was noticed on the breedino'-srounds in the 

 north of Norfolk on the 1st of May, a few more arrived 

 during the two subsequent days, followed by large numbers 

 on the 4th, ana all were present by about the 14th. The 

 breeding-grounds in the Isles of Scilly began to be occupied 

 on the 4th of May, and a few birds had already reached the 

 east coast of Sutherland by the 6th. On the 13th a few 

 were noticed on the Lancashire coast, and there were large 

 numbers on the Cheshire coast by the 20th. Passing birds 

 were recorded in several inland counties throughout the 

 month. 



Chronological Summary of the Records. 



April 11th. Kent. 



„ 14th. Kent (slight increase). 



„ 17th. S. Devon. 



„ 19th. Herts (passing). 



,, 22nd. Cumberland (passing). 



