BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
15 
herring gull, it has the spear-like bill and long, acute wings char- 
acteristic of terns, and also the regular tern way of taking its prey by 
dashing headlong into the water, and quickly rising again to con- 
tinue its coursing to and fro above the waves. 
Sterna himndo. Common Terx\. ^ 70. 
Common Terns are not likely to be seen here in midsummer, as at 
that time they are confined to their nesting places, none of which are in 
this region, though they are known to breed both north and south of 
us. It is to be seen in spring on its northward flight and again in the 
fall, when all birds are much abroad, impelled by the early impulses 
of the migrating instinct. The mouth of Hampton river is a favorite 
hunting ground for terns in August and early September. When the 
tide is low, so that the broad flats are partially covered, and there are 
strong currents round the island — which is only a peninsular at low 
water — the terns assemble to watch for the small fry hurrying over the 
shallows. The terns are masters of the art of flying. As they move 
along with bill down, and eyes fixed on the water, now hovering, 
now dashing down almost to the water, saving a wetting at the last 
instant when a quick eye has seen the quarry dart away, holding the 
course regardless of flaws in the wind, dropping like a plummet when 
opportunity offers the right chance, all, without any apparent attention 
to the management of their v;ings. I have watched one of these 
terns fishing beside a wharf. Again and again he came to the same 
place, and, after hovering a moment, would drop like a meteor so 
close to the planking that it was a wonder he didn't hit it. In spite 
of a stiff breeze and a moving target, he made no mistake about the 
wharf, though I think he failed sometimes to get his fish. Common 
terns breed abundantly on the island of Penikese, one of the Elizabeth 
group off the coast of Massachusetts. They nest indifferently on 
rocky shore or among the grass in a sheep pasture. As one walks 
over the end of the island where the nests are, the air seems filled 
with the old birds, which dive spitefully at the intruder, and keep up 
such a din of discordant cries that his ears quickly become weary. 
The territory over which these terns fish is surprisingly large. At 
Woods Holl, some twelve miles from Penikese, it is the usual thing 
near sunset to see terns coming from still further up the coast, each 
with a small fish held crosswise in its bill, making the home journey 
with supper for their young. As soon as the young are able to fly 
they are taken to the feeding grounds and taught to fish for them- 
selves, though they are still fed for some time, and may often be seen 
