1883.] 401 [Brewster 



79. Sterna hirundo, Linn. — Wilson's Tern. 



The shallow bays and channels among the Magdalen s furnish 

 favorable fishing grounds for Terns, and the extensive sand-hills 

 which border many of the beaches are in every way adapted for 

 nesting purposes — a combination of attractions that had not been 

 overlooked, for we found the birds there by thousands. Only 

 two species were represented, the Wilson's and the Arctic. They 

 usually occurred together, but the Wilson's Tern was everywhere 

 the more numerous. The largest colony visited was at the east- 

 ern end of Amherst Island where several thousand pairs were 

 nesting. It was impossible to identify their eggs without trapping 

 the sitting birds. The moment the place was invaded the whole 

 colony became aroused, and in the general confusion the owner 

 of any particular nest could not be distinguished among the dozens 

 of sympathizing friends that hovered with her over our heads. 



Poor Sea Swallows ! they have nearly as hard a time among the 

 Magdalens as at breeding stations along our own coast. Not 

 that the birds themselves are as often molested, for the islanders 

 are too chary of ]30wder and shot to waste them at useless marks ; 

 but the eggs are duly appreciated, and parties of women and chil- 

 dren visit the sand-hills daily taking every one that can be found. 

 How the birds bear the drain to which they are almost every- 

 where subjected is a mystery. But unless steps are taken very 

 soon to ensure them at least partial protection during the breed- 

 ing season the days of their race are numbered. 



After leaving the Magdalens we saw few Terns of either spe- 

 cies, the shores in most places being too rocky, and the bays too 

 deep, to afford the required conditions of environment. 



least, turned, flew back over the house and through the trees, avoiding obstacles, and 

 soaring with perfect ease and very swift motion round and round the area of the house. 

 Very soon, however, he began to approach very close to me and scream as if in dis- 

 tress. It was evident that he was tired and wished to alight, but did not know how to 

 stop. Finally I succeeded, by suddenly throwing up my arms as he came towards me 

 in arresting him; and he literally tumbled against me and fell on the ground. His ex- 

 citement was very great, and he would have started again very soon, of his own ac- 

 cord, if I had not held and quieted him. He was wild with delight. I started him 

 again when rested, and precisely the same scene was reenacted; and he did not learn 

 to alight by himself until after several flights. After this he flew as Mr. Brewster has 

 described, but on account of the danger from lawless gunners I was obliged finally to 

 clip his wings. Not enough, as it proved, since he suc«eeded in flying over to some 

 marshes opposite the house and never reappeared ;probably having been shot. 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. XXII. 26 JUNE, 1884. 



