CHAP. XII. ] The Pickietars. 217 
Having thus related an instance of maternal affection on 
the part of the wild duck, let us cite a still more remarka- 
ble instance of brotherly sympathy and help on the part of 
the common tern (Sterna hirwndo), called pickietars in the 
neighborhood of Banff. 
“Being on the sands of Boyndie one afternoon at the 
end of August, I observed several parties of pickietars busi- 
ly employed in fishing in the firth, As I was in want of 
a specimen of this bird, I loitered about on the beach, nar- 
rowly watching their motions, and hoping that some of 
them would come within range of my gun. The scene 
around was of no common beauty. In the azure heaven 
not a cloud was to be seen, as far as the eye could reach ; 
not a breath of wind was stirring the placid bosom of the 
firth. The atmosphere seemed a sea, as it were, of living 
things; so numerous were the insects that hummed and 
fluttered to and fro in all directions. The sun, approach- 
ing the verge of the horizon, shot lotg and glimmering 
bands of green and gold across the broad mirror of the 
deep. Here and there several vessels were lying becalmed, 
their whitened sails showing brightly in the goldened light. 
An additional interest was imparted by the herring-boats 
which were congregating in the bay; their loose and flag- 
ging sails, the noise of the oars, and the efforts of the row- 
ers, told plainly enough that a hard pull would have to be 
undergone before they could reach their particular quarters 
for fishing, in the north-eastern part of the firth. 
“While I stood surveying with delight the extended and 
glorious prospect, and witnessing with admiration the inde- 
fatigable evolutions of the terns in their search for food, I 
observed one of them break off from a party of five, and 
direct his course toward the shore, fishing all the way as he 
came. It was an interesting sight to behold him as he ap- 
proached in his flight—at one moment rising, at another 
descending —now poised in mid-air, his wings expanded 
but motionless, his piercing eye directed to the waters be- 
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