TEE COMMON NODDY. 
Noddies ra-e distinguished from the other members of 
the Tern family in nothing very essential, except in their 
dusky colour, graduated tail, and stouter wings. They are 
the most oceanic of all Terns, seeking their food at vast 
distances from land, and seizing it while they skim along 
the surface, or sometimes while swimming. But one species 
belonging to this genus, called Megaloptems, visits Britain. 
The Noddy, as it is commonly called, measures about 
sixteen inches in length. Except the upper part of the 
head, which is pale ash grey, the whole of the plumage is 
brownish black. But two examples of this bird, shot at the 
same time, viz. in the summer of 1840, off the coast of Wex- 
ford, have been taken in this country ; although it is said 
to be a summer visitant to the St. George's Channel, seek- 
ing its food some distance from land, but occasionally pur- 
suing its prey into the estuaries of the larger fresh rivers. 
Temminck mentions that the Noddy has been seen on 
the coast of France, and Dr. Latham states that the eggs of 
the bird are laid in vast numbers on some small rocky 
islands near St. Helena. 
Audubon, who gives the fullest account of this species, 
says : — 
The Noddies collect, about the beginning of May, from all parts of 
the Grulf of Mexico and coasts of Florida, for the purpose of returning 
to their breeding-places on one of the Tortugas, called Noddy Key. 
They form regular nests of twigs and dry grass, which they place on 
the bushes and low trees, but never on the ground. They often 
repair the nests of former years, in some instances the structure 
reaching the height of nearly two feet. The eggs are three in 
number, averaging two inches in length, of a yellow reddish colour, 
spotted and patched with dull red and faint purple. 
We ought not to conclude our account of the members 
of the Tern family without quoting Bishop Mant's lines 
thereon ; — 
The Muse may make far-off descent 
On the rich shores of southern Kent, 
Or bleak Northumbria's isles of fern, 
Discursive with the rapid Tern ; 
And note their congregated flight, 
Now soaring up the aerial height. 
Now pouncing on the fishy main, 
Now wheeling round and round again. 
