WESTERN WHITE-FACED TERNLET. 
extent over which were flying in a state of great agitation, some two hundred 
little terns, which kept up a continuous din with their short, piping cry. On the 
seaward side of the bank was a number of their eggs, laid in very slight circular 
depressions in the sand about 4 inches in diameter. The clutch was two, but 
in a great number of cases only one seemed to hatch, for many nests were 
found with an addled egg, and the remaining shell of the one which had pro- 
duced a chicken. No young birds except the very smallest chicks were at first 
discernible, but upon walking round a bank of sea-weed, just above high- 
water mark, many were found, but so perfectly did their feathers (cream, with 
longitudinal chestnut markings) harmonize with the sand and rubbish, that 
it was difficult to detect them. The little birds, too, knew quite well 
where their protection lay, for, with head and neck out straight, they lay 
like stones.” 
Mr. Gibson* found them fairly common on Pelsart Island, West Australia, 
where a large colony was just commencing to lay on November 10th, 1907, 
several fresh eggs being taken on that date. 
Gilbert found it congregating in immense flocks on Rottnest and Garden 
Island (West Australia) in December. 
The bird described is the type, and was collected at the mouth of the 
Kalgan River, West Australia, on February 7th, 1905, by Mr. G. C. Shortridge. 
* Emu, Vol. VIII., p. 65, 1908. 
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