4 THE CONDOR Vol. XXIV 
random into the water. After a few casts we had enough mullet to feed us 
a week. 
During the sail, as soon as daylight arrived, small flocks of terns were con- 
stantly in view. I noted eight species in half an hour. The Royal (Sterna maxima), 
Caspian (Sterna caspia) and Cabot (Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida), with their 
loud, raucous, and slowly repeated erys, were the most prominent. The Caspians 
did not mingle with the others, although the Royals and Cabots were nearly 
always together. The Gull-billed (Gelochelidon nilotica) and the Common 
(Sterna hirundo) traveled separately in smaller flocks which were loosely bound 
together. The flocks were constantly growing smaller as individuals dove into 
the water after fish and henceforth traveled alone. Black (Hydrochelidon nigra 
surinamensis) and Least Terns (Sterna antillarwm) traveled in very loose flocks 
: 
; 
Fig. 1. ReppISH EGRETS AT HOME. THE LEFT-CENTRAL BIRD HAS JUST FINISHED THE NUP- 
TIAL DISPLAY. THIS GIVES AN EXCELLENT IDEA ALSO OF THE IMPENETRABLE FRONT PRE- 
SENTED BY THE BISBIRINDA. 
and were rather aimless, constantly changing direction of flight and often beat- 
ing back. A few Forster Terns (Sterna forsleri) were noted and more may have 
passed, for they are hard to distinguish from the Common unless the beaks are 
plainly seen. Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) were not as numerous as any of 
the terns. Black Skimmers (Rhynchops mgra) sat in solid companies on sand 
bars and black Mexican Cormorants (Phalacrocorax mexicanus) swept by in 
long streamers, low over the water. Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) 
were seen swimming and fishing both near shore and far out in the Laguna. 
Many unidentifiable sandpipers could be seen with the glasses along both shores 
when we approached near. 
