ROYAL TERN— FULMAR 119 



oftener than Gulls and may readily be distinguished 

 from them by their smaller size and long, sharply 

 pointed bills. They are not as good swimmers, having 

 very small and delicate feet. On shore they patter 

 about in a very pretty and graceful manner. Their 

 food consists principally of living fish, which they 

 procure by diving from a considerable height into the 

 water. 



Their nesting habits are similar to those of Gulls, 

 great colonies of them laying their eggs in hollows on 

 the beach, usually on remote islands, but sometimes 

 on the coast or along inland waters. Great numbers 

 of the Common, or Wilson's, Tern breed on the island 

 of Penikese, off the coast of Massachusetts, a favour- 

 able site for them, since it has in recent years become 

 Government property and the breeding-grounds of 

 the birds will be protected. The yoimg are tiny, 

 fluffy creatures, much like young Gulls for the first 

 few months of their existence, and bear a close resem- 

 blance to their surroundings. See Plate 39, Fig. 230= 



The Royal Tern is frequently seen along our south- 

 ern coasts, particularly in Florida, where it is often 

 seen, chasing the less active Pelicans and forcing them 

 to disgorge their prey, when by a swift plunge they 

 secure the prize before it reaches the water. Another 

 interesting species is the Noddy Tern, found in sum- 

 mer along the Gulf coast. In this the top of the head 

 is white, instead of black, the rest of the plumage a 

 very dark brown and the middle tail-feathers are long- 

 est. In Terns the outer tail-feathers are longer than 

 the others, as in Swallows, and hence they are often 



