BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
207 
by .042 in breadth ; in shape, very similar to a common hen’s egg. 
The eggs were sometimes deposited upon the bare rock and some- 
times on a few twigs, which had, however, the appearance of having 
accidentally fallen into the hole.” 
The flight of this graceful species does not at all resemble the 
long, easy movements of the Gulls, but is hurried and rapid, more 
resembling that of a Duck. As a rule, they appeared to be rather 
shy, and it was an unusual thing for us to obtain a shot at one of 
them while coasting along the shores of the islands ; although they 
were often seen, they seldom approached within shooting distance of 
the vessel. The inhabitants call them Egg Birds, and prefer their 
eggs as an article of food to those of the Terns or Gulls. 
Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. VII. pi. 427. 
