COMMON - TERN. 
257 
northward. Should other travellers observe the same or similar phenomena 
at the season mentioned, it will be proved that this species does not extend 
its autumnal migration so far as several others, which I observed arriving 
at Galveston Island from the south-west, for example, the Least Tern, Sterna 
minuta, the Cayenne Tern, St. cayana, and the Black Torn, St. nigra. 
The Common Tern commences breeding on the coast of our Middle 
Districts about the 5th of May. On my voyage to Labrador, I found its 
eggs on the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and especially on the Mag- 
dalene Islands, which I visited on the 11th of that month. On the 18th I 
saw them in great abundance in the neighbourhood of American Harbour, 
on the coast of Labrador, where thousands of Terns were plunging headlong 
after shrimps all round us. In that country, their eggs were deposited 
among the short grass, and the places which they occupied were but slightly 
scratched ; whereas, on the Magdalene Islands, where they breed on sandy 
ridges, slight hollows were scooped out, as is generally the case along the 
eastern coast of the United States. Their sojourn in Labrador is of short 
duration ; and when we were at Newfoundland, on the 14th of August, mul- 
titudes were already passing southward. At the same period considerable 
numbers pass by an inland route from the Canadas, and all our great lakes, 
travelling along the Ohio and Mississippi. While residing at Henderson, 
and afterwards at Cincinnati, I had ample opportunities of watching their 
movements in the month of September. And yet, you will think it strange, 
that, during their vernal migration, I never saw one ascend any of these 
rivers or the streams connected with them. Perhaps the inferior tempera- 
ture of the waters, compared with those of the ocean, in the early spring 
months, may induce them to abandon their route at that season. In autumn, 
on the contrary, when these rivers are heated and reduced in size, the Terns 
may find in them an abundant supply of the fry of various fishes. It would 
thus appear, being corroborated by other observations which I have made 
relative to migration, that species whose range is extensive, are determined 
in their movements by a genial temperature and an abundant supply of food. 
With an easy and buoyant flight, the Tern visits the whole of our indented 
coasts, with the intention of procuring food, or of rearing its young, amidst 
all the comforts and enjoyments which kind Nature has provided for it. 
Full of agreeable sensations, the mated pair glide along side by side, as 
gaily as ever glided bridegroom and bride. The air is warm, the sky of the 
purest azure, and in every nook the glittering fry tempts them to satiate 
their appetite. Here, dancing in the sunshine, with noisy mirth, the vast 
congregation spreads over the sandy shores, where, from immemorial time, 
the species has taken up its temporary abode. They all alight, and with 
mvnccd, steps, and tails carefully raised so as not to be injured by the sand, 
Yol. VII.— 33 
