C O M M 0 N 
r F. R N . 
STERNA FLUFIATILIS. 
In spring and autumn, while on the way to and from their breeding-quarters, these Terns may he observed 
in considerable numbers off various parts of our coast-line ; the first-comers usually put in an appearance 
toAvards the end of April, and all through May a stream of birds in larger or smaller parties continues at 
short intervals to pass onward toAvards the north. The most general movement appears to take place about 
the middle of May, when immense flocks arc occasionally met with in the channel heading steadily on 
towards the east ; after reaching the open sea their course is turned for the north, some making for their 
breeding-places on the shores of the firths and lochs of the Ilighlands, Avhile the remainder continue their 
journey to more distant lands across the ocean. 
Many of the breeding-stations to Avhich the Common Tern resorted in former days have been deserted : 
these birds are stated to have reared their young in considerable numbers on several of the Avide-strctching 
shingle-hanks along the coasts of Kent and Sussex ; I doubt, however, if a single egg has noAV been laid on 
several of their former haunts in this locality for some years. Common and Arctic Terns not unfrequently 
breed in company : I often passed a mixed colony of these birds on a ridge of loAV-lying land running doAvn 
to the Dornoch Firth between ]\Iorangie and the Meiklc Ferry, to which the name of Ardjackie Point was 
given. Several of the nests Avere placed in a field of backward oats, and others among the sliingle and rough 
stones stretching doAvn to the sandy flats. So late as July 2nd, I find in my notes for 18G8, there were hut 
fcAv broods of young birds to be seen ; in all probability the earlier clutches of eggs had been carried off by 
the country people living on the hill-side near at hand. 
Early in June 1867 I passed several days on the Fern Islands, and closely examined tlie Terns breeding 
at all the stations ; the only species I Avas enabled to identify Avere the Sandwich and Arctic, AA ith the 
exception of a single Roseate Tern. I was not then aAvarc that the Common Tern had been stated by several 
authors to nest on the islands ; not a single specimen, however, was observed, nor did I meet with the nest 
of a Tern with more than two eggs for Avhich the rightful oAvners Avere responsible. In one instance it was 
obvious that an Oyster-Catcher had laid in the nest of a Sandwich Tern, and the third egg in the only nest 
of the Arctic Tern that contained above the accustomed pair had evidently been deposited by a Ringed 
Plover. From repeated observations concerning the nesting-habits of Terns, I am of opinion that the 
Common Tern usually lays three, and the Arctic Tern invariably two eggs. 
Along the shores of the Channel in East and West Sussex, and on the sands and mudhanks off the coast, as 
well as up the rivers of Norfolk, are the only places Avhere I have met Avith opportunities for carefully Avatching 
and making any lengthened observations on the spring and autumn migrations of Terns. Common 
Terns, Avhen on passage, usually fly in large flocks, composed entirely of their own species, though they 
join at times in company with Arctic and Sandwich. Terns when passing to and from their summer- 
quarters do not fly in such dense bodies as Plovers, Wildfowl, or Gulls, their ranks being far more 
