TERN. 105 



with the bill, and scratch with the claws, so as to make it unsafe to 

 be held by an unguarded hand. When flying about in flocks they 

 are very noisy, but particularly in breeding time : they lay the 

 eggs in vast numbers on certain small rocky Isles, near St. Helena, 

 and the eggs are thought gootl; some voyagers affirm, that the sight 

 of this bird at sea, as well as of other Terns, shews the vicinity of 

 land ; but this does not always prove the case. From their stupidity, 

 they are called by the sailors, Noddies. At Otaheite, known by the 

 name of Oiyo. They breed also in the Bahama Islands, laying the 

 eggs on the bare rocks; and on the Roca Islands, and various parts of 

 the Coasts of Brazil, and Cayenne, they likewise breed in abundance; 

 and at that season are seen in great flights, near the surface of 

 the water, continually dropping on the small fish, which are driven 

 to the top, to shun the persecution of the greater. Have a variety 

 of notes, and the whole air resounds with their noise: when the time 

 of incubation is past, they disperse over the ocean. 



8— PHILIPPINE TERN. 



Sterna Philippina, Ind. Orn. ii. 805. 



Le petit Fouquet des Philippines, Soti. Voy. 125. pi. 85. 



Philippine Tern, Gen. Syn. Sup. 267. 



THIS is double the size of the Common Tern. The bill bent, 

 black, and pointed at the end ; the upper part of the head even with 

 the eye, white ; at the base of the bill a narrow stripe of black, which 

 surrounds the eye, and finishes in a point; neck, breast, and belly, 

 vinaceous grey ; above the same, but deeper; quills, tail, and legs, 

 black. — Inhabits the Philippine Islands ; is often found at a great 

 distance from land. 



VOL. X. P 



