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Bird - Lore 



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replaced on the nest will settle down immediately on the egg ; thus 

 showing how overpowering is the instinct to care for the young. 



Toward the end of September the birds begin to leave. They leave 

 in great fllocks, and at night. The entire exodus consumes, apparently, 

 but two or three days ; and some morning the observer will find the 

 island absolutely deserted, save for a few crippled birds that have been 

 injured and are unable to follow their comrades. 



About a week after the coming of the Noddies another species, the 

 Sooty Tern {Sterna fidiginosa) , makes its appearance. These arrive in 



larger flocks, and they all seem 

 to reach the breeding place 

 within about four days. 



Within a week of the arrival 

 of the first one their eggs are 

 to be found. No nest is built, 

 but usually a trace of a saucer- 

 shaped depression is scratched in 

 the sand. The favorite laying 

 site was under the bay cedar 

 bushes at the northern extremity 

 -^^^ of the island. There the ground 



"^r "^"^ had a fair covering of dried 



leaves, but hundreds of birds 

 laid apparently at random, in the 

 open, under the piazza of a 

 little house, and in places where 

 no sunshine got to them. 



For about the first two weeks 

 the eggs are brooded only at 

 night, but as time goes on they 

 are better cared for, but by no 

 means as closely attended to as 

 are those of the Noddy. 



The Sooty Tern is far more 

 difficult to approach than the 

 Noddy, being of a much more nervous temperament, and when disturbed 

 it will rise uttering a warning cry which is distinct from calls used on 

 other occasions. This will be instantly taken up by the entire flock, 

 as it rises in a great cloud, to circle a few times over the island and then 

 settle down again. 



The Noddy is a silent bird, except for a prolonged hoarse, gutteral 

 note uttered when molested or when squabbling. The Sooty Tern, on 

 the other hand, is a most talkative bird. It has notes resembling more a 



MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS 



