TERNS 



231 



where, if unmolested, they sit quietly watching the operations 

 of the fishermen. Indeed, they are rather a tame and familiar 

 bird, not much afraid of man, and seeming to trust (and, as far 

 as I am concerned, not in vain) to their beauty and harmlessness 

 as a safeguard against the wandering sportsman. Excepting 

 when wanting a specimen for any particular purpose, I make a 

 rule never to molest any bird that is of no use when dead, and 

 which, like the tern, is both an interesting and beautiful object 

 when living. 



These birds make but a short sojourn with us, arriving in 

 April in great numbers, and collecting in flocks on the sands of 

 the bay for a few days. They then betake themselves to their 

 breeding-places, and, having reared their young, leave us before 

 the beginning of winter. 



THE MORAY FIRTH FROM DAVA 



