300 LARID^. 



of Navarino, in the Morea, a tern of this species, which admitted 

 of so near an approach as to leave no doubt of its being S. leu- 

 copareia. 



THE LITTLE TERN. 



Sterna m'muta, Linn. 



Is a summer visitant, which breeds annually on different 

 parts of the coast. 



Templeton tells us that he " once observed a single pair in Bel- 

 fast Lough, and that on a tour round the coast of Down on the 

 5th and 6th of June, 1810, they appeared on the shore at Lecale 

 as common as 8. Jdnmdo •!' he adds that " their note is sharper 

 and more tremulous than that of the latter species." 



Tliis pretty creature, so interesting from representing in minia- 

 ture the more common tern, lirst occurred to myself when visiting 

 the many islands of Strangford Lough, on the £Oth and 21st of 

 June, 1832. As we approached the Black Eock of Ring Duf- 

 ferin, I perceived, at a considerable distance, a tern, which, 

 from its diminutive size, was concluded to be S. minuta. When 

 near to it, another came in sight, and one of them being shot, 

 was found to be of this species. Previous to landing on ' Dun- 

 nyneiU^ Island, I saw another rise from the gravel on the beach, 

 and, on going to the spot whence it rose, found three eggs 

 deposited in a depression of the bare ground. A second bird 

 soon appeared, which we had the cruelty to shoot; and, after 

 having embarked on leaving the island, I noticed the widowed 

 bird to alight on the spot whence the eggs were taken. None of 

 our crew had ever observed this species before. The call is pirre, 

 like that of the common tern. No other species was seen, nor 

 were any of their eggs found on either islet where S. mhmta was 

 met with. Mr. R. K. Sinclaire visited 'Dunnyneill^ on the 25th 

 of June, 1836, in the hope of seeing this tern, and success- 

 fully, as three or four pair appeared : they admitted of a near 



