The Caspian Tern 



It is impossible, for a sensitive person at least, to escape a sort of 

 awe in the presence of one of these world travelers. He has seen so many 

 skies, and weathered so many storms, and tasted so many viands, and 

 thought so many thoughts. He is, as a consequence, as alert as he is placid, 

 as independent as he is tolerant, and above all things, self-reliant and 

 capable. This may sound like fanciful stuff for appreciation of a bird, 

 but the root of it is there in the dynamic of the species, even if the indi- 

 vidual escapes recognition. 



Taken on Lower Klamath Lake 



Photo by William L. Finley and Herman T. Bohlman 

 HOME LIFE OF THE CASPIAN TERN 



The Caspian Tern is known on our borders as a casual sort of a 

 migrant and an occasional winter resident. Its appearance may be in- 

 stantly recognized from its tern-like character; and as surely distinguished 

 by its stouter, more gull-like proportions, its heavy red beak, and its 

 shorter, squarer tail. Its voice, too, is heavier than that of any other 

 tern, and by this especially it betrays its foreign breeding. On critical 

 occasions, or as mere apprisal, the bird utters a snarling croak, jay awk' 

 or snay owk', which we are willing, without debate, to set down as Rus- 

 sian. 



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