COMMON TEKN. 557 



landed on the island, and three days were spent in investigating its fanna. Although 

 the fishermen told ns that the Tern had been diminishing for years, their numbers at 

 that time, nevertheless, were astonishing. The Arctic Terns were breeding apart in a 

 separate colony, on a long, narrow strip ot sand, while the Common or Roseate Terns 

 intermingled freely, often times placing theii nests side by side. Little preference seemed 

 to be accorded by the last two species to any given localitiy. Their eggs were as often 

 laid upon the windrows of sea- weed at high-water mark, as among the ivy- vines on the 

 sand-hills. Indeed, they were scattered everywhere, and the birds that were breeding 

 there mnst have been numbered by hundred of thousands. The sight was a novel and 

 impressive one. Overhead, at varying heights, swarms of Terns were passing and 

 repassing, crossing each other's flight in mazy lines, From the birds jast skimming the 

 crests of the sand-hills to the white specks floating thousands of feet above the earth in 

 the blue sky, the air was filled with their countless numbers. Hundreds were con- 

 tinually rising from their nest and making out to sea, or returning from the fishing- 

 grounds, each with a small fish held crossways in its bill. 



" On one occasion that I remember, a black thunder-cloud rose out of the sea, in the 

 ■earth, and the white birds hovering over the island were brought out in striking con- 

 trast to the dark background. Is was as if the air were filled with snowflakes. The 

 noise was simply deafening, especially when the birds became aware of our presence. 

 As we advanced, their sitting mates rose from the nests in clouds, swelling the throng 

 of anxious parents over our heads, each bird adding its shrill voice to the general din. 

 Yet amid all this confusion they took good care to keep beyond gun range. Occasionally, 

 however, an exception to this occurred, and a daring bird darted down into our very 

 faces. High overhead all the time a number of Black-headed Galls (i. atrioilla) floated 

 ID graceful circles, adding their shrill demonical laughter to the weird choras. 



"If a Tern were shot, the effect was instantaneous and startling. Every voice was at 

 9nce hushed, hundreds of long narrow wings were set, and troops of gliding arrowy 

 forms swept down in silence to the fallen victim. From the sky above, from every nook 

 and corner of the neighboring saud-hills, they came hurrying to the spot. Then, as if at 

 a given signal, every bird burst out afresh in cries of rage', protest, and despair. The 

 sffeot was indescribable. As the graceful birds came whirling down in perfect silence, 

 they seemed like dread avengers seeking to bear away their dead comrade and to over- 

 whelm his destroyer. If another bird was killed, the tumult continued and the excite- 

 ment became even more intense ; bat if no farther molestation were offered, they 

 gradually departed one by one. This habit of hovering over their slain companions, 

 ,though undoubtedly prompted by sympathy and social affection, is a most unfortunate 

 one, as it is constantly taken advantage of, and dozens are frequently killed at a time. 



" Upon Muskegat the Terns have, or had at the time of which I write, another enemy, 

 which, though second in importance to man, nevertheless destroyed large iiumbors of. 

 these birds. This was the Short-eared Owl {Brachyotus palustris). A small colony of 

 these birds had established itself upon a certain elevated part of the island, -spending 

 the day in a tract of densely matted grass Scattered about in this retreat were the 

 remains of at Itast, a hundred Terns, that they had killed and eaten. Many of these 

 ■ were fresh, while others were in every stage of decomposition, or dried by the sun and 

 wind. In each case the breast had been picked clean, but in no instance was any other 

 portion disturbed. Every day, at a certain time, these Owls sallied forth in search of 

 fresh prey. We ased regularly to see them about sunset, sailing in circles over the island 

 »r beating along the crests of the sand-hills. They were invariably followed by vast 

 mobs of enraged Terns, which dived angrily down over the spot where the Owl had. 



