170 



THE LITTLE TERN. 



Sterna minuta L. 



This species seems to have arrived at the same time as the 

 Common Tern. 



It was first noted in Kent on the 15th of April, and by 

 the 20th many had arrived, but the main immigration took 

 place into the eastern counties between the 26th and 29th. 

 There was only one record from the west, viz. from Wales, 

 on the 28th, and it is probable that the species arrived in the 

 western counties at the same time as it did in the east. 



The birds were nesting in Kent on the 11th of May and 

 in Essex on the 13th, while eggs were found in Lancashire on 

 the 17th. 



Chronological Summary of the Records. 



April 15. Kent. 



„ 16. Kent (decrease). 



„ 20. Kent (many). 



„ 26. Suffolk. 



„ 27. Kent (increase). Suffolk (slight increase). 



„ 28. Merioneth. 



„ 29. Suffolk (increase). 



May 1. Norfolk. 



„ 4. Essex. 



„ 7. Essex (slight increase). 



„ 10. Norfolk (slight increase). 



„ 11. Kent (nesting). 



„ 13. Essex (nesting). 



„ 17. Lancashire (few ; nesting). 



