collectively, for there are several species, but all have this 

 habit of diving from a height. During the summer months 

 one may be quite sure of an opportunity of watching the 

 graceful, easy flight of at least three species. For they haunt 

 the sea-shore, river, and lake with equal impartiality. Those 

 who are on the lookout for terns, for the first time, will easilv 

 recognize them. For, in the first place, they look like minia- 

 ture gulls, but with longer and more pointed wings, and 

 forked tails. Further, all have a characteristic black cap. 

 They travel in small parties, as if for company, keepmg no 

 more than a yard or two from the surface of the water, and 

 scanning it eagerly in search of shoals of small fish, or 

 Crustacea. As these are found one will note a quickening 

 of the wing-beat, and a sudden dive, like that of the gannet, 

 with half-closed wings. And sometimes, too, the impetus 

 will take them completely under water. 



31 



