CASPIAN TERN. 
73 
our own information on the subject, we are enabled to say 
that it mostly watches for fish that swim near the surface of 
the water, and which consequently it very easily obtains by 
dipping its beak and head only in the liquid element. Shal¬ 
low bays and sand-banks are the most probable places in 
which to find the Caspian Tern in the act of feeding, and 
clear still water is invariably preferred. The fish which 
the present species takes are always of a size which it can 
swallow entire, and as soon as it has obtained its fish, the 
bird pinches it apparently, and turns it in its beak so as to be 
able to swallow it head foremost, an act which occupies very 
little time. Besides fish, the young of other birds are also 
frequently consumed by the present species, the remains of 
which have been found in its stomach. 
The numbers of the Caspian Tern not being so great as 
those of many other sea-birds, the nests are not found in 
such incredible quantities, but nevertheless from two to three 
hundred pairs of Caspian Terns are annually found 
colonizing on the Island of Sylt, on the very edge of the 
land. The nest is only a hollow scratched in the sandy 
ground, in which the eggs are deposited, being two or three 
in number; and the young are hatched in about twenty 
days. The nestlings are at first covered with a white down, 
spotted with dull grey marks ; they soon run about, and are 
brought up by the parent birds with small fishes. Although 
the birds use great exertions to prevent an intruder from 
approaching the nest and eggs, by flying over his head, 
and making a considerable noise, yet it has been remarked 
that when they are once disturbed they do not easily 
return to their nest, and are said even not to revisit the 
same spot the following year if they are fired at. 
The large red beak, deep black crown of the head, the 
pure white plumage of the under parts, and pearly colour 
