102 
STERNID^E. 
Tlie most inaccessible swamps, moors, or fens, surrounded 
by or in the vicinity of rushes and flags, are chosen by the 
Black Tern for the nesting places ; but on ponds, lakes, and 
borders of rivers, where the banks are entirely open and free 
from rushes, this bird never makes a nest. Great numbers of 
these birds assemble together in their annual breeding-places, 
and make their nests at a small distance apart, either on some 
raised lump of earth, or on a bundle of decayed sedges, and 
frequently on a foundation formed of the bent stems of 
rushes, purposely arranged by the bird in order to float the 
nest. 
Many different water-plants are made subservient to their 
purpose of sustaining the nest, which is so arranged as to be 
kept above the water ; for this purpose the stems of the Eu¬ 
phorbia palustris, and of the Arundo phragmites are often 
chosen. The nest itself is a compound of decayed rushes 
and roots, and lined with grasses, but by no means carefully 
platted or arranged, and forms but a shallow cup for the 
reception of the eggs. 
The eggs are three in number, and are incubated by both 
birds in turn ; and in fifteen or sixteen days the young come 
forth. 
Although met with in many parts of England at the period 
of migration, namely, in spring and autumn, the Black Tern 
is rather local in its breeding places, frequenting for the pur¬ 
pose of nidification only those counties which abound most 
in swamps, marshy lands, and low watery districts ; Lincoln¬ 
shire, parts of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, &c., are therefore, 
among its principal localities. 
In Tuscany, according to Savi, many thousands of young 
Black Terns are brought to market for food; but the wings are 
previously cut off, and being tied up in bundles, are used in 
the shape of brooms. 
