NODDY TERN. 
487 
tinue their labours, although there were nine or ten of 
us walking among the bushes, and when we had gone 
a few yards into the thicket, thousands of them flew 
quite low over us, some at times coming so close as to 
enable us to catch a few of them with the hand. On 
one side might be seen a Noddy carrying a stick in its 
bill, or a bird picking up something from the ground 
to add to its nest; on the other, several were seen sit¬ 
ting on their eggs, unconscious of danger, while their 
mates brought them food. The greater part rose on 
wing as we advanced, but re-alighted as soon as we 
had passed. The bushes were rarely taller than our¬ 
selves, so that we could easily see the eggs in the nests. 
The Noddy, like most other species of terns, lays three 
eggs/' 
The egg which I have figured is from the collection 
of Mr. Salmon. 
