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much more numerous of the two. Mr. Ridgway visited the same locality the following season 

 (July 1880), and found a colony, numbering several thousands, breeding near the northern end 

 of the island, their eggs covering thickly an area of less than an acre in extent." 



Mr. Scott states (Auk, 1888, p. 374) that in Florida this Tern is "A resident species, more 

 abundant in winter, and breeds commonly. On the low sand keys at the mouth of Tampa Bay, 

 the breeding-season begins about the middle of May, and is at its highest three weeks later." 

 Mr. Brewster records it (Auk, 1882, p. 225) as breeding in considerable numbers on the islands 

 of Galveston Bay in Texas, but I did not see it there, though I found it numerous at the mouth 

 of the Rio Grande in the summer ; and both Dr. Merrill and Mr. Sennett met with it in the 

 same locality. It is said to be common on the coast of Mexico. Lawrence records it from 

 Mazatlan ; Boucard (P. Z. S. 1883, p. 462) as very abundant on the coast of Yucatan ; 

 Mr. Salvin obtained it in British Honduras and Guatemala ; Zeledon records it from Costa Rica ; 

 there are specimens in the British Museum from Rio de Janerio and from Santa Catharina in 

 S. Brazil; and Mr. Hudson records it from Argentina. On the west coast of South America it 

 is recorded by Taczanowski from Peru, and there are specimens in the British Museum from 

 Payta in that country, and it is stated to occur along the coast up to California. It is also found 

 in the West Indies and on the islands off the coast of South America. Mr. Hartert (Ibis, 1893, 

 p. 309) saw it several times on the islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, where it was not 

 common and somewhat shy. Leotaud (Ois. Trinid. p. 537) speaks of it as being common 

 in Trinidad, and he believes that it only leaves the island during the breeding-season; 

 Messrs. A. & E. Newton record it from St. Croix, Mr. E. C. Taylor from Margarita Island, 

 Mr. E. B. Cory obtained it in the Virgin Islands, Gosse records it from Jamaica, Dr. Gundlach 

 from Cuba, and Mr. Cory from the Bahamas. 



I have never observed this Tern, excepting at the mouth of the Rio Grande, between Texas 

 and Mexico, where a large number were seen, and, so far as I could perceive, they closely 

 resembled our Caspian Tern in general habits. Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway write (I.e.) 

 that " This bird is usually observed flying in straight lines along the shores, or up and down the 

 bays, occasionally uttering a squealing cry, and often darting directly down into the water as if 

 shot, but generally emerging with a fish, which is immediately swallowed, or, if too large, divided 

 by its sharp cutting bill. This Tern is generally a very shy and suspicious bird; but if wounded 

 will strike boldly with its bill — being much more pugnacious than are the tamer Gulls. Though 

 it usually fishes singly, yet it will associate in large flocks on its resting place; and when one of 

 these birds is wounded, all its companions will fly anxiously around in such proximity as to be 

 easily shot. 



" In the autumn months Mr. Gosse used frequently to see individuals of this species engaged 

 in fishing on a reef about a quarter of a mile from the Jamaican shore. The birds were solitary 

 in their habits, and did not associate with others of their kind. They would fly rapidly around 

 in large circles high above the water, flapping their wings rapidly and without intermission ; 

 then all at once they would descend perpendicularly, at the same time turning the body in a 

 jerky irregular manner. On touching the water the birds would disappear with a sudden splash, 

 but reappear a moment later, struggling as if it were not an easy thing to rise again; then all 

 at once they would utter plaintive cries, as if alarmed, and fly off along the coast ; but would 



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