I9I4- HuMPHRRYv^. — Roscatc Tcm breeding hi Irclmid. 19 
five undoubted nests of this rare species. These were spread 
over five different sites, each accommodating a nesting 
colony of Roseate Terns only. The largest number of nests 
in any one of these colonies was seven. The only exception 
to the foregoing was that of the tern recorded on my first 
visit. This bird had its nest nearer the edge of the general 
colony than any of the other Roseates, and amongst the 
nests of the Common and Arctic Terns. Out of the total 
number of nests examined, one contained two eggs ; one 
a nestling and an egg just chipping ; two or three single 
nestlings ; and the remainder one egg each. In practicall}^ 
every instance where there were eggs, incubation was well 
advanced. It will be seen from this that the tendency was 
to hatch out one egg, although the full clutch is stated to 
consist of two eggs.l It was also apparent that the Roseates 
were later breeders than the other species. I have 
mentioned " nests," but reall}^ no nesting material was used 
bv any of the birds. 
As regards the colour of the eggs, there was little, if any, 
marked variation, the ground colour being light stone 
spotted and speckled with shades of brown, with underlying 
blotches or spots of ashy grey. Although in most cases 
the eggs w^ere more elongated than those of the Common 
and Arctic Terns, it was difficult to find very much difference 
in some. 
With regard to the nestlings, these were quite distinct 
from the nestlings of any of the other species. In the 
first place the upper parts were streaked with dark, on buff 
ground, whereas the dark markings on the nestlings of the 
Common and Arctic Terns are blotchy, and not so freely 
distributed over the surface. There is, however, another 
most important distinguishing feature, namely, the colour 
of the legs and feet ; these were of a dark purplish -flesh, 
but there was a certain amount of transparency about this 
colouring giving it the appearance of pink tissue paper 
smeared with black ink. The nestlings examined by Mr. 
Mackay ,^ which had black legs and feet, were no doubt 
^ Kirkman's " British Bird Book," p. 66, 
2 Auk, xiii., p. 47. 
