TWO DAYS WITH THE TERNS 



lU 



However, the few young that were seen gave 

 a most interesting exliibition of their instinctive 

 appreciation of the value of both their protective 

 colors and the power of their legs. As long as they 





55. Tern's nest 



Irift dc'bris. 



believed themselves unobserved they trusted in the 

 former ; but the moment thej^ became convinced that 

 a further attempt at concealment was useless, they 

 transferred their faith to their pedal extremities, on 

 which they pattered off as far and as fast as their 

 streiigth permitted. This observation was verified 

 later on Penikese," where youug were numerous, and 

 the habit was well shown by the young bird figured.='= 

 He was discovered squatting among the rocks, where 

 he remained, practically at my feet, while I set up 

 my tripod and deliberately made his picture— during 

 which operation so inconspicuous was he that I in- 

 variably had to hunt for him each time I removed 

 rny eyes from the exact spot in which he was crouch- 

 ing. Wishing now to show him to lietter advantage, 

 he was picked up and placed on a wisp of drift- 



