310 



firm and steady like that of the Cayenne Tern. Like some of the smaller Gulls it not unfre- 

 quently hovers close to the water to pick up floating objects, such as small bits of fat pork and 

 greasy substances thrown overboard purposely for making the experiment. 



Reverting to his expedition to Bird Key, he further writes {torn. tit. pp. 251, 252) as 

 follows: — "Early next morning I was put on shore, and remained there until I had completed 

 my observations on the Terns. I paid no attention to their lamentable cries, which were the 

 less piercing that on this occasion I did not molest them in the least. Having seated myself on 

 the shelly sand, which here formed the only soil, I remained almost motionless for several hours, 

 in consequence of which the birds alighted about me at the distance of only a few yards, so that I 

 could plainly see with what efforts and pains the younger females deposited their eggs. Their bill 

 was open, and their panting indicated their distress ; but after the egg had been expelled they 

 immediately walked off in an awkward manner, until they reached a place where they could 

 arise without striking the branches of the bushes near them, when they flew away. Here and 

 there, in numerous places within twenty yards of me, females, having their complement of eggs, 

 alighted, and quietly commenced the labour of incubation. Now and then a male bird also 

 settled close by and immediately disgorged a small fish within the reach of the female. After 

 some curious reciprocal nods of their head, which were doubtless intended as marks of affection, 

 the caterer would fly off. Several individuals which had not commenced laying their eggs, I saw 

 scratch the sand with their feet, in the manner of the common Fowl while searching for food. 

 In the course of this operation they frequently seated themselves in the shallow basin to try how 

 it fitted their form, or find out what was still wanted to ensure their comfort. Not the least 

 resemblance of a quarrel did I observe between any two of these interesting creatures ; indeed 

 they all appeared as if happy members of a single family ; and, as if to gratify my utmost wishes, 

 a few of them went through the process of courtship in my presence. The male birds frequently 

 threw their heads over their backs, as it were, in the manner of several species of Gulls ; they 

 also swelled out their throats, walked round the females, and ended in uttering a soft puffing 

 sound as they caressed them. Then the pair for a moment or two walked round each other, and 

 at length rose on wing and soon disappeared. It was curious to observe their actions whenever 

 a large party landed on the island. All those not engaged in incubation would immediately rise 

 in the air and scream aloud ; those on the ground would then join them as quickly as they could, 

 and the whole, forming a vast mass with a broad extended front, would, as it were, charge us, 

 pass over for fifty yards or so, then suddenly wheel round, and again renew their attack. This 

 they would repeat six or eight times in succession. When the sailors, at our desire, all shouted 

 as loud as they could, the phalanx would for an instant become perfectly silent, as if to gather 

 our meaning ; but the next moment, like a huge wave breaking on the beach, it would rush 

 forward with deafening noise. When wounded and seized by the hand, this bird bites severely, 

 and utters a plaintive cry differing from its usual note, which is loud and shrill, resembling the 

 syllables ooee oo-ee. Their nests were all scooped near the roots or stems of the bushes, and 

 under the shade of their boughs, in many places within a few inches of each other." 



The eggs of this Tern, of which I possess a large series from Ascension and the Florida 

 Keys, vary considerably in markings, though not much in coloration. The ground-colour varies 

 from pure white to warm buff; and the markings consist of pale purplish grey shell-blotches and 



