178 cassell's book of birds. 



from other species by their proportionately strong, compressed body, as also by their large strong beak, 

 which is longer than the head. The foot is small, and the web but little excised ; their wing is long 

 and sabre-like ; the tail but slightly forked ; and the general plumage close and thick. 



THE CASPIAN TERN. 

 The Caspian Tern (Sylochdidon Caspia) is twenty inches long, and fifty across the spread of its 

 wings ; the wing measures sixteen, and tail six inches ; the feathers upon the top of the head are 

 black, those on the sides of neck, upper back, and under surface of body, pure white ; the mantle is 

 light greyish blue ; the tips of the wing-quills are darker and those of the tail-feathers lighter than the 

 general colour of the upper parts of the plumage. The eye is brown, the beak coral-red, and the foot 

 black. In winter the top of the head is black and white ; in young birds the feathers of the back are 

 transversely spotted with brown. The Caspian Tern inhabits Central Asia and Southern Europe ; it 

 breeds, however, exceptionally in the Island of Sylt, as well as upon some parts of the Dutch and 

 French coasts. During the winter it appears upon the southern shores of the Mediterranean and the 

 lower lakes of Egypt, as also in the northern parts of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean ; it occurs on 

 the west coast of Africa, but does not seem to have crossed the Atlantic. In England several 

 specimens have been shot in Norfolk and other parts of the east coast. On the Island of Sylt it 

 arrives towards the latter part of April, and after rearing its young, departs in August. This bird may 

 generally be seen flying at a height of forty or fifty feet, its head, with its shining red beak, being 

 directed downwards, and its great wings slowly waving, until from time to time it plunges headlong 

 into the water after its prey. When in search of a resting-place it betakes itself with its companions 

 to some rocky locality near the shore, where they all perch in a close rank, with their heads turned 

 towards the sea, in which position they are readily mistaken for Sea Gulls. The term rapacious has 

 been well applied to the members of this group. Fishes form their ordinary food, but they likewise 

 devour coast and water birds, swallowing them with great ease and relish. In India they hunt 

 eagerly after crabs, and everywhere voraciously feed upon the eggs of other birds whenever they can 

 obtain them. Schilling tells us he has seen them fly to the breeding-places of Sea-fowl, and although 

 at once attacked by the brooding parents, make their way to the nests quite regardless of the clamour, 

 and help themselves without stint. Naumann and he visited a celebrated colony of this species at 

 the northern extremity of the Island of Sylt, where they found their eggs laid upon the bare sand 

 in little hollows, at a short distance from the water, the different broods not being more than two 

 feet apart from each other. The eggs in shape and size much resembled those of tame Ducks. 

 Their shells are smooth, but not shining, and their ground colour a dirty brownish white, marked 

 with ash-grey and black ; considerable differer^ce, however, was observable even in those in the 

 same nest. These birds begin to lay about the beginning of May ; in Sylt the inhabitants regularly 

 take the eggs, only allowing them to begin to brood eight or ten days before Midsummer. Should 

 a man approach their nests, both male and female endeavour to defend it, and raise a terrible outcry. 

 The young are clothed in down, of a greyish black above and white on the under surface ; they soon 

 run about, and for some days are assiduously fed with small fishes, which are brought to them by 

 both parents. 



The RIVER TERNS (Stema) are distinguished from the preceding birds by their somewhat 

 arched, moderately short beak, small short-toed feet, and deeply-forked tail ; and by their frequent 

 occurrence at the mouths or along the banks of rivers, or of inland streams or lakes. In size they 

 are considerably smaller than the Caspian Terns, and their flight is much more graceful and Swallow- 

 like, always exciting the admiration of the beholder. 



