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met with on the north side of Cook's Strait. In the autumn of 1867 I observed a flock of them 

 at the mouth of the Eangitikei river ; and on another occasion I saw a few near the Wanganui 

 heads ; but I do not remember having ever met with it further north. 



In the Canterbury Province it is particularly abundant, frequenting all the river-courses, and 

 often spreading far over the plains. Within a few miles of the city of Chiistchurch I have 

 observed it, in large flights, following the farmer's plough and picking up grubs and worms from 

 the newly turned earth. It also frequents the cornfields and pastures, and, by devouring cater- 

 pillars and other insect pests, proves itself a valuable friend to the agriculturist. 



It is remarkably active on the wing, performing very rapid evolutions, and often chasing its 

 fellows in a playful manner and with much vociferation. When resting on the ground, the 

 members of a flock stand closely packed together, and may be seen constantly stretching their 

 wings upwards in the peculiar manner already noticed in treating of Sterna frontalis. 



Like the other Terns this species breeds in colonies, placing its eggs (usually two in 

 number) on the bare ground, without any attempt at forming a nest. It defends its breeding- 

 ground with a considerable amount of spirit, darting towards the intruder's head, and uttering 

 at the same time its harsh cry. The eggs are of an elegant ovoido-conical form, measuring 

 1*6 inch in length by 1*2 in breadth; and they present a considerable amount of diversity in their 

 colouring and markings, varying from a pale yellowish brown to a dull olive, and marked over 

 the entire surface with blackish brown, the spots being generally more numerous at the thicker 

 end, but sometimes confluent in the middle, forming an irregular blotched zone. A specimen in 

 the Canterbury Museum has the ground-colour of a pale greenish white, minutely speckled all 

 over, but particularly at the thick end, with purplish brown ; another (collected by Mr. Potts on 

 the 22nd of October) has the entire surface covered with small round spots. 



