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THE SOOTY TERN. 



Sterna fuliginosa. Lath. 



PLATE CCXXXV. Male. 



Eaiily in the afternoon of the 9th of May 1832, I was standing on 

 the deck of the United States' revenue-cutter the Marion. The weather 

 was very beautiful, although hot, and a favourable breeze wafted us on- 

 wards in our course. Captain Robert Day, who stood near me, on 

 looking toward the south-west, ordered some person to be sent to the top 

 to watch the appearance of land. A young lad was instantly seen as- 

 cending the rigging, and not many minutes after he had attained his post, 

 we heard from him the cry of " land." It was the low keys of the Tor- 

 tugas, toward which we had been steering. No change was made in the 

 course of the " Lady of the Green Mantle," who glided along as if aware of 

 the knowledge possessed by her commander. Now the light-house lantern 

 appeared, like a bright gem glittering in the rays of the sun. Presently 

 the masts and flags of several wreckers shewed us that they were anchor- 

 ed in the small but safe harbour. We sailed on, and our active pilot, 

 who was also the first lieutenant of the Marion, pointed out to me a small 

 island which he said was at this season the resort of thousands of birds, 

 which he described by calling them " Black and White Sea Swallows," 

 and again another islet, equally well stocked with another kind of Sea 

 Swallow, which he added were called Noddies, because they frequently 

 ahghted on the yards of vessels at night, and slept there. He assured me 

 that both species were on their respective breeding-grounds by millions, 

 that the eggs of the first lay on the sand under bushes, at intervals of 

 about a foot, while the nests of the last were placed as thickly on the 

 bushes of their own chosen island. " Before we cast anchor," he added, 

 " you will see them rise in swarms like those of bees when disturbed in 

 their hive, and their cries will deafen you." 



You may easily imagine how anxious I was to realize the picture ; I 

 expressed a wish to be landed on the island ; but the kind officer replied, 

 " My good Sir, you will soon be tired of their incessant noise and num- 

 bers, and will enjoy the procuring of Boobies much better." After vari- 

 ous tacks, we made our way through the curious and extremely danger- 



