STERNA FULIGINOSA. 1039 



regardless of our sticks, with which we might have killed any number of them ; but their beautiful pure dark 

 and white plumage and graceful motions caused it to appear almost a sin to knock any of them down. On 

 arriving within the precincts of the breeding-grounds their numbers increased ; large flocks were arriving in 

 endless succession from seaward ; clouds of birds rose from the ground, and, joining those already attending us, 

 their wheelings and gyrations almost made us giddy. I sat down on a lump of cinder ; and the society, being 

 at length convinced that my policy was not aggressive, went on with the ordinary routine of incubation. 

 There were young of all sizes, from the little callow ones just hatched to the nearly fledged birds that 

 fluttered and crawled like young pigeons. There were also lots of eggs exposed on the bare ground ; but in 

 most instances the old bird sat on its solitary treasure, hissing defiance as I approached, and fighting manfully 

 if I attempted to remove it." 



Audubon's charming account of his visit to Florida Keys displays so much of the wonderful powers of 

 observation for which that great naturalist was so celebrated, that I cannot forbear giving the following extract 

 from the ' Birds of America/ vii. p. 252 : — " Here and there, in numerous places within twenty yards of me, females, 

 having their complement of eggs, alighted, and quietly commenced the labour of incubation. Now and then a 

 male bird also settled close by and immediately disgorged a small fish within the reach of the female. After some 

 curious reciprocal nods of their heads, which were doubtless intended as marks of affection, the caterer would 

 fly off. Several individuals which had not commenced laying their eggs, I saw scratch the sand with their 

 feet, in the manner of the common Fowl while searching for food. In the course of this operation they 

 frequently seated themselves in the shallow basin to try how it fitted their form, or find out what was still 

 wanted to ensure their comfort. Not the least resemblance of a quarrel did I observe between any two of 

 these interesting creatures ; indeed they all appeared as if happy members of a single family ; and, as if to 

 gratify my utmost wishes, a few of them went through the process of courtship in my presence. The male birds 

 frequently threw their heads over their backs, as it were, in the manner of several species of Gulls ; they 

 also swelled out their throats, walked round the females, and ended in uttering a soft puffing sound as they 

 caressed them. Then the pair for a moment or two walked round each other, and at length rose on wing and 

 soon disappeared. It was curious to observe their actions whenever a large party landed on the island. All those 

 not engaged in incubation would immediately rise in the air and scream aloud ; those on the ground would 

 then join them as quickly as they could, and the whole, forming a vast mass with a broad extended front, would, 

 as it were, charge us, pass over for fifty yards or so, then suddenly wheel round, and again renew their attack. 

 This they would repeat six or eight times in succession. When the sailors, at our desire, all shouted as loud 

 as they could, the phalanx would for an instant become perfectly silent, as if to gather our meaning ; but the 

 next moment, like a huge wave breaking on the beach, it would rush forward with deafening noise." 



