Sept., 1922 THE SUMMER AVIFAUNA OF BIRD ISLAND, TEXAS 171 
and summer condition; the birds were either wanderers or non-breeding individuals 
such as are occasionally found far away from the nearest breeding ground. 
4. Larus atricilla. Laughing Gull. An abundant breeding species. On Bird 
Island these gulls had but a single egg in the nest on May 26, when we arrived, and 
before we left practically every nest had its full complement. After the first egg has 
been laid, the subsequent eggs are deposited on successive days. On this island the 
average complement was three: out of 250 nests in which the laying was finished, 192 
contained 3 eggs, 52 had 4 eggs, 5 had two, and a single nest contained but 1 egg. On 
Little Bird Island, nests contained the first egg on May 31. No young were hatched, 
and no eggs were found anywhere that were well along in incubation. My estimate 
showed about 2500 pairs of these birds on Bird Island, and about 600 pairs on Little 
Bird. The nests were invariably located among the succulent vegetation, the birds 
avoiding absolutely both the open beaches and the soggy edges of the inland lagoons. 
When we first reached the island the birds were very timid, and wheeled, screaming, 
over our heads, darting at us and making a great stir. This commotion spread rapidly 
the entire length of the island until thousands of silvery wings flashed in the sun. 
Soon, however, our presence was accepted, and, though our approach always sent a 
few into the air, the general alarm soon died, and the disturbed birds would return to 
their domestic duties in less than a minute. The greatest vocal activity in the colony 
occurred usually just at dusk and continued until well after dark. By ten o’clock at 
night things were fairly quiet, the “laughing” commencing again about three o’clock 
in the morning. Considering the early stage of incubation of the eggs, it was surpris- 
ing to find the birds sitting so ‘“‘close”’: one bird under observation was absent from 
her nest only eleven minutes in twenty-four hours. No amount of juggling the eggs 
confused the birds, which evidently return to the spot, rather than to the eggs. One 
bird refused to settle on her own eggs when the nest and contents were moved three 
feet from its original site. Replaced again later in the day, she returned to her incu- 
bation apparently quite unconcerned. 
5. Geochelidon nilotica. Gull-billed Tern. About two hundred of these birds 
were seen daily on Bird Island which, in fact, they never left, though the species was 
not yet nesting. The birds spent most of their time on the east side of the island, 
circling only a short distance out over the Laguna. . 
6. Sterna caspia. Caspian Tern, Considerably more abundant, I believe, than 
the preceding species, but of much more restless habits. Pearson (4) reports “many 
young Caspians” on May 23, 1920. On June 2, 1921, it is interesting to note that the 
species had not even begun to nest, as no young birds, nor any old nests, were in evi- 
dence. In this connection it may be stated that the conditions on the island in 1921 
differed radically from those reported by Mr. Pearson in 1920, many species being pres- 
ent in greatly reduced numbers (both adults and nests), and the whole breeding season - 
apparently nearly a month later. 
7. Sterna maxima. Royal Tern. An abundant breeding species, though not 
nearly as abundant as found in 1920 by Pearson. About 500 individuals frequented Bird 
Island, and about 200 more were found on Little Bird. The first egg laid by the spe- 
cies was found the morning we left the island, June 2, though the shallow depressions 
which were to serve as nests were in evidence two days earlier. It is evident that 
there were to be two nesting blocks, one in the sand and shell at the extreme south 
end of the island, and another just south of the bay at the northeast corner of the isl- 
and. None of the nests contained lining material of any sort. 
8. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida. Cabot Tern. About 400 of these terns were 
present on Bird Island, and less than 100 on Little Bird. The species had not yet begun 
to nest, though it is a common breeding species on both islands. ° 
9. Sterna hirundo. Common Tern. A few Common Terns were found on Little 
Bird Island, and one clutch of three eggs, perfectly fresh, was taken. Not really com- 
mon, but a breeding species. 
10. Sterna antillarum. Least Tern. A breeding species on Little Bird Island, 
and seen only twice at Big Bird. On the former island, fourteen nests, none containing 
over two eggs, were found. A little colony of five nests was found on the Laguna side 
of Padre Island, opposite Little Bird Island. The birds were very timid, and refused 
to be photographed. 
11. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. The presence of these 
