COMMON TERN. 557 
landed on the island, and three days were spent in investigating its fauna. Although 
the fishermen told us that the Tern had been diminishing for years, their numbers at 
that time, nevertheless, were astonishing. The Arctic Terns were breeding apart in a 
separate colony, on a long, narrow strip of sand, while the Common or Roseate Terns 
intermingled freely, often times placing their nests side by side. Little preference seemed 
so be accorded by the last two species to any given localitiy. Their eggs were as often 
laid upon the windrows of sea-weed at high-water mark, as among the ivy-vines on the 
sand-hills. Indeed, they were scattered everywhere, and the birds that were breeding 
- there must have been numbered by hundred of thousands. ‘The sight was a novel and 
impressive one. Overhead, at varying heights, swarms of Terns were passing and 
repassing, crossing each other’s flight in mazy lines. From the birds just skimming the 
erests of the sand-hills to the white specks floating thousands of feet above the earth in 
the blue sky, the air was filled with their countless numbers. Hundreds were con- 
tinually rising from their nest and making out to sea, or returning from the fishing- 
grounds, each with a small fish held crossways in its bill. 
‘¢On one occasion that I remember, a black thunder-cloud rose out of the sea, in the 
north, and the white birds hovering over the island were brought out in striking con- 
trast to the dark background. It was as if the air were filled with snowflakes. The 
noise was simply deafening, especialiy when the birds became aware of our presence. 
As we advanced, their sitting mates rose from the nests in clouds, swelling the throng 
ef anxious parents over our heads, each bird adding its shrill voice to the general din. 
Yet amid all this confusion they took good care to keep beyond gun range. Occasionally, 
however, an exception to this occurred, and a daring bird darted down into our very 
faces. High overhead all the time a number of Black-headed Gulls (L. atricilla) floated 
- in graceful circies, adding their shrill demonical! laughter to the weird chorus. 
‘“‘Tf a Tern were shot, the effect was instantaneous and startling. Every voice was at 
ence hushed, hundreds of long narrow wings were set, and troops of gliding arrowy 
forms swept down in silence to the fallen victim. From the sky above, from every nook 
and corner of the neighboring sand-hills, they came hurrying tothe spot, Then, as if at 
a given signal, every bird burst out afresh in cries of rage, protest, and despair. The 
effect was indescribable. As the graceful birds came whirling down in perfect silence, 
they seomed like dread avengers seeking to bear away their dead comrade and to over- 
whelm his destroyer. If another bird was killed, the tumult continued and the exciie- 
ment became even more intense; but if no further molestation were offered, they 
gradually departed one by one. This habit of hovering over their slain companions, 
though undoubtedly prompted by sympathy and sccial affection, is a most unfortunate 
ons, as itis constantly taken advantage of, and dozens are frequently killed at a time. 
‘“‘Upon Muskegat the Terns have, or had at the time of which I write, another enemy, 
which, though second in importance to man, nevertheless destroyed large numbers of 
these birds. This was the Short-eared Owl (Brachyotus palustris). A small colony of 
these birds had established itself upon a certain elevated part of the island, spending 
the day in a tract of densely matted grass. Scattered about in this retreat were the 
remains of at least a hundred Terns, that they had killed and eaten. Many of these 
were iresh, while others were in every stage of decomposition, or dried by the sun and 
wind. In each case the breast had been picked clean, but in no instance was any other 
portion disturbed. Every day, at a certain time, these Owls sallied forth in search of 
fresh prey. We used regularly to see them about sunsei, sailing in circles over the island 
or beating along the crests of the sand-hills. They were invariably followed by vast 
mobs of enraged Terns, which dived angrily down over the spot where the Owl had. 
