i So 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



put into execution any of the usual manoeuvres of water-birds, when trying to escape from pursuit, 

 such as diving below the surface, but took boldly to her wings, and it was truly wonderful to see the 

 adroitness with which all the efforts of the Falcon were foiled ; whenever this terrible bird of prey 

 stooped upon his intended victim, she slipped nimbly aside, and thus eluded the fatal clutch; or 

 sometimes she would fall perpendicularly downwards, then mount above her foe towards the skies, 

 rising higher and higher as he followed in pursuit, until at length the strength of the Falcon failed 

 him, and he was forced to give up the chase. This Falcon is, however, very destructive to the young 



TERNS AND THEIR NESTS. 



Terns, before their wings are strong enough to cope with those of their fleet foe. The eggs of this 

 Tern are either yellowish grey, pale greenish brown or greenish blue, spotted with ash-grey or dark 

 brown. Respecting the movements and noisy vociferations of the Common Terns, Macgillivray says, 

 "When walking along the sandy shore you may see them coming up from a distance, increasing their 

 speed as they approach, and then wheeling and plunging over you, until at last they fly off. Proceeding 

 at a moderate height, they stop now and then, hover a moment, dip into the water, and secure a 

 sand-eel or young coal-fish. Many attend on the fishermen, or others who are catching sand-eels for 

 bait or food, to pick up those which fall from them disabled. On such occasions they are very 

 vociferous, as they also are when they have fallen in with a shoal of fry. They never dive, but I 

 have seen them alight on the water and swim a little, and sometimes a whole flock may be observed 

 reposing on the placid bosom of the waters." 



