TWO DAYS wrrii the terns 



117 



alarm was replaced by a variety of calls, showing 

 these birds to be possessed of an unexpectedly ex- 

 tended vocabulary. One call was a chirp not unlike 



59. Tern on liilLsiJe nyst. 



the White-throated Sparrow's, a second might be 

 written tue, tue, tue, and was uttered when one bird 

 was in pursuit of another. 



The seaweed not only concealed the camera per- 

 fectly, but was so al)undant near the bird's nest that 

 the appearance of a fresh mound apparently did not 

 even excite the bird's curiosity, and within twenty 

 minutes it had returned to its eggs. It happened, 

 however, that the nature of the site chosen induced 

 the bird to face the water, and as the camera was 

 above, and consequently behind it, the view pre- 

 sented did not show it to advantage, but after sev- 

 eral unsuccessful trials the attempt to secure a more 

 flattering view was abandoned.^" 



A bird was now chosen who was incubating two 

 eggs placed in a depression in a little mound of sea- 

 weed on the beach. On this occasion the camera was 



