20 
allen’s naturalist’s library. 
Tern breeds in colonies, usually on a shingly beach, and the 
whereabouts of the eggs or young can generally be discovered 
by the anxiety betrayed by the old birds, who hover over the 
spot and keep up a loud chorus of disapproval at the intrusion. 
The young are so like the surrounding shingle in general 
appearance that they are very difficult to distinguish, especi- 
ally as they do not run along the ground like the nestlings of 
the Sand-Plovers, but are fed by the parent-birds for some 
days at least. 'Phe old birds bring fish to their little ones, 
and have been known to drop them near to the latter, despite 
the presence of a stranger in their midst. 
The food of the Common Tern consists of small coal-fish, 
sand-eels, shrimp.s, and small Crustacea ; and it is a very pretty 
sight to see a flock of 'Perns fishing above a shoal of small 
fry and dipping after their prey. In the autumn, before their 
departure for the south, flocks assemble on the sand or shingly 
beaches, and rest quietly during the time that the tide is out. 
I have seen many large assemblages of these birds on the 
beach near Lydd in Kent, and at the incoming of the tide 
into Romney Hoy, especially if this took place towards even- 
ing, large flocks of terns would often follow the rush of the 
water as it entered the principal channel, and a constant 
chorus of their creaking note, like the syllables kree-e-e, was 
kept up, until at times there was a perfect babel of sound. 
The birds were apparently feeding on the small fish which 
came in with the tide. 
Nest. — A hollow in the sand or shingle; or on the bare earth 
when the birds breed at a little distance from the water! 
Sometimes a few stems of grass are added as a lining. Mr. 
Robert Read sends me the accompanying note : “ 'Phe nesting 
habits of this bird differ much according to site. When the 
nest is made on the sea-shore it usually consists simply of a 
slight hollow scraped in the sand or shingle without any linin'' 
materials whatever. When, however, the ne.st is built inland^ 
on swampy ground, it consists of a more or Ic.ss substantial 
structure of dried grasses and stalks, doubtless to keep the 
eggs out of the damp.” 
Eggs. — Mr. Read adds ; — “ 'Phree is the usual number of 
eggs laid, but -on more than one occasion I have taken four 
