Congdoiv—Saskatchewan Birds. 
577 
shown in Plate XLII. A typical nest measured twenty-eight 
inches, outside diameter; and four and three-fourths inches, in¬ 
side diameter. The outside depth was four inches; and inside 
depth, one and one-half inches. Often several nests were so 
closely placed as to join one another and generally these groups 
were situated in small, open patches of water where no reeds were 
growing for an area of a, square rod or a little less. Several of 
these nests were found in the colony of the Eared Grebes, before 
spoken of, and the nests of the two species were situated within 
two or three feet of each other. 
The nest complement seems to be three eggs although several 
nests held four. However, the variety of markings in such nests 
seemed to' point, to the probability that the eggs were laid by more 
than one bird. 
The eggs of the Forster’s Tern vary from brownish to green¬ 
ish in ground color, more or less thickly spotted and blotched 
with dark brown and pale black, generally with obscure shell 
markings of lilac. The marks are, as a rule, rounded and uni¬ 
form in shape, but on some specimens they take the form of very 
irregular scratches and blotches. One specimen is of a very 
light blue color and almost entirely unmarked except for a black¬ 
ish scroll encircling the larger end like the letter '“0.” 
When a colony is approached, the birds rise from their nests 
and fly about, sometimes making dashes at the intruder and com¬ 
ing into uncomfortably close proximity to his head. They con¬ 
tinue to keep up the chorus of harsh, grating cries while one re¬ 
mains in the neighborhood of the nests. If one of their number 
is shot, they hover and dart with increased noise just above the 
spot where the bird has fallen to the water, and continue this 
until the wounded bird ceases to show signs of life. 
77. Black Tekx. 
Ilydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.). 
The Black Tern, or Black Gull as it is called in this locality, 
is by far the most numerous representative of the Tern family. 
Hot only is it common about the larger reed or grass bordered 
lakes, but almost every slough of any size, also, has its Black 
Terns, continually dashing about on the wing and darting after 
the insects which constitute their food. 
37 
