WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. 
t 
IIYDROCIIELIDON LEUCOPTERA. 
Unless this handsome Tern escaped notice in former days, the numbers that pass along our shores have greatly 
increased of late years. I met with several small parties during the spring in 1871 and 1873 ; others also that 
had come under the observation of those well acquainted with all our British species were reported on various 
parts of the coast. 
A few abridged extracts from my notes for 1871, 1872, and 1873 will impart all the knowledge concerning 
the habits of these birds that I am enabled to give. In 1871 these Terns were seen on Breydon mudflats, and 
a couple of years later on Ilickling Broad. 
“ May 26, 1871. After a heavy thunderstorm over the town (Yarmouth) during the night, the morning 
broke exceedingly dull and overcast, rain falling heavily. There was just sufficient light on reaching the 
‘ lumps ’ in the gunning-punt to make out five Terns pitching in the channel above us ; though the birds did 
not approach within range, a closer view which was obtained of one of their number led to the belief that the 
whole were White-winged Black Terns. As the daylight increased they worked further up the flats, and finally 
four settled between two brightly plumaged Grey Plovers sitting about six feet apart at the side of ‘ Bessie’s 
drain.’ From the sudden manner in which the birds wdieeled round and alighted, it is probable they were 
attracted by the conspicuous colouring of the Plovers, their black breasts with the edging of white corresponding 
almost precisely with their own appearance. Though one remained hovering overhead, the four happened 
to have settled so conveniently at the moment we came within range, setting slowly up the drain with the 
flood-tide, that the chance was not to he lost, and the whole party were secured by a charge of small shot from 
the big gun. The remaining bird circled round for a time at a great height, evidently reluctant to leave its 
companions, but eventually darted off towards the north-east, Avhere a Hock of Waders, disturbed by the shot, 
were wheeling over the flats. The specimens secured proved to be two males and two females, in the finest 
summer plumage. Possibly the storms of the previous nigbt may have carried these birds out of their usual 
course, though it is highly probable that stragglers visit our shores more frequently than is supposed. One was 
seen two days previously flying, in company with a small party of Common Terns, across the flats; though the 
decoys (wbich seldom prove of use in spring) were flung up, they continued on their course, passing away 
towards the north-east. When first observed, these Terns were plunging down headlong in the channel, 
apparently in pursuit of prey, tbough owing to the imperfect light it was almost impossible for them to have 
discerned any small fish. Black Terns in spring frequently, while on wing, take an insect from the water, but 
I do not remember to have watched them darting down and seeking food below the surface ; this action 
repeatedly performed first attracted notice and led to their identification.” 
In the spring of 1872 I was in the south of England, and though almost daily at sea did not meet with the 
species; a pair were, however, seen on Breydon by one of the gunners who had been present when the 
specimens were procured the previous year. 
