o 
KOSEATE TERN. 
wliere rough stones ami litter were scattered among the slabs of rock, a shelter that afforded ample 
concealment was with the help of a piece of old sail-cloth speedily rigged up. After completing the work 
and placing the finishing touches on my hiding-place, the men withdrew toAvards the boats. A very 
few minutes had elapsed when the Terns, after following the disturbers of their peace for some distance, 
gradually reappeared on the scene, and after hovering round for a time without detecting the alteration 
that had taken place, the main body settled quietly down, though a few still continued on wing. The 
greater number of those that had alighted shortly betook themselves to their domestic duties, others Avere 
busily occupied in cleaning their plumage, and tlie remainder, after stretching and going through various 
contortions, buried their heads in the feathers of the back and sought repose. Ample opportunities for 
making good use of the glasses Avere noAV afforded, and after awaiting further arrivals for over half an hour, 
I Avas satisfied that no Roseate Terns had taken up their quarters at this station ; then moving on to the next, 
I Avas enabled in the course of the day to make a thorough inspection of the Avhole of the Terns on the 
islands. The folloAving day Avas passed in Avatcliing tlie flocks and straggling parties of Terns that kept 
at sea, either fishing in the bays around the islands or along the sandy shores of the mainland. Althougli 
the birds proved exceedingly fearless and Avere closely approached and examined, I failed to detect in 
their ranks any of the conspicuous strangers of Avhich Ave Avere in search. In all probability but one 
pair of tbe Roseate Tern had been breeding this season on the islands, and the death of the female doubtless 
accounted for the disappearance of her mate from the scene of his bereaA'ement. 
Statements have lately appeared in print to the effect that, as a breeding-station, the Ecrn Islands 
are now entirely deserted by this species. This may or may not be the case; I possess, however, the best 
evidence that scarcely a year has passed up to the present date without specimens having been either 
seen or procured in the immediate vicinity of the islands. Tlie Isle of May, off the northern shores of 
the Firth of Forth, is enumerated among the breeding-haunts of the Roseate Tern ; in this case I am 
inclined to believe some error bas arisen, having frequently visited the spot Avithout observing the birds, 
or gaining any information that Avould tend to substantiate the fact. 
The tints on the breast of this species, Avhen seen in life or immediately after death, are far deeper and 
richer than even the most enterprising colourists have ventured to depict ; the rosy hue, hoAvever, soon 
commences to fade, and in less than a hour a considerable alteration has taken place. The depth of the 
colouring doubtless varies considerably in different individuals, and also according to the season of the 
year. In August 18G4 I examined a specimen, shot by a gunner on the east coast, a foAv minutes after 
it had been picked up, and remarked that the bird by no means compared in brilliancy Avith others 
preAUOusly seen. It is, I am of opinion, only through i\Iay and the early part of June that the rosy 
tints are to be seen in their full beauty. 
FeAV opportunities for observing this species during life having fallen to my share, I am unable to 
supply the slightest information concerning its general habits. The figure in the Plate, Avhich is taken 
from the specimen obtained at the T’ern Islands early in June 18G7, renders a description of the plumage 
unnecessarv. 
of my own from North Berwick. My men being unacquainted with the coast, and also in order to ensure safety should a gale suddenly 
spring up, we engaged a fishing-lugger to keep in attendance and convey stores in case we should remain on the islands for any length 
of time. 
