Miscellaneous. 



435 



different species (S. Hirundo), which species is a very common bird 

 on our own coasts, as also on the southern and eastern shores of 

 Ireland, where they are regular summer visitors, generally arriving 

 about the 10th of May and retiring the latter end of October. 



Along the coasts of Wexford and Waterford they are called " mac- 

 kerel gulls," owing, I imagine, to the circumstance of their gene- 

 rally preceding the arrival of that fish, as well as the immense shoals 

 of the Centronotus Trachurus (horse mackerel, Yarr. Brit. Fish. vol. i. 

 p. 154), which spread themselves along the eastern shores of Ireland. 



They (the birds) are probably attracted by the myriads of small 

 fry which the horse-mackerel pursue with astonishing perseverance, 

 the fry aforesaid constituting in common the food of both bird and 

 fish. As the terns generally arrive on the coasts of the British islands 

 about the 10th of May, is it not probable, from their appearance in- 

 land on the 8th of that month, that the westerly gales prevented 

 them arriving at their accustomed quarters ? hence their unusual 

 appearance inland may be rationally accounted for. 



The boldness of the terns' flight and eagerness in pursuit of their 

 prey are striking features in their habits, while their incessant scream- 

 ing when engaged in this necessary occupation cannot fail to attract 

 the notice of the observant naturalist. 



Such is the force with which the tern sometimes precipitates itself 

 on its prey, that it is no unusual circumstance for the bird to disap- 

 pear beneath the surface of the water, from which it is sure to emerge 

 with its finny captive, for its aim is unerring. But as the habits of 

 most of the aquatic tribe of birds are those of unmitigated rapine, 

 the Sterna stolida (black noddy), which is also a summer visitor to 

 St. George's Channel, sometimes steps in to rob its more timid con- 

 gener of its anticipated repast. 



The flight of the noddy is extremely rapid, and it is so exceed- 

 ingly shy, that I never could get a shot at one, though watching 

 many times for a " chance." As I have never observed this bird on 

 the main shore, which it seldom or ever approaches, it probably re- 

 tires, after feeding, to some insulated rock to repose itself, without 

 fear of interruption. It appears a solitary bird, never assembling in 

 flocks like the S. Hirundo, but singly seeks its food at some distance 

 from land, though it occasionally pursues its prey into the estuaries 

 of the larger Irish rivers, or along the outer shores of the coast. 



When the S. Hirundo have done feeding, they assemble in flocks 

 of twenty or thirty in number on some sandy shore adjacent to their 

 fishing quarters, where they stand or sit with their heads all pointed 

 in the same direction, until returning appetite again impels them to 

 renewed exertions for a fresh supply of food. 



The Sterna minuta (lesser tern) is equally abundant on the shores 

 of the British islands. Its habits are exactly similar in every respect 

 to those of the S. Hirundo, and they are mostly found occupying the 

 same localities as the larger species, with whom they live in peaceful 

 fraternity. I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, 



Bristol, June 4, 1842. Thos. Austin. 



[The conflicting accounts of the two species of Terns seems only 



