This Tern still nests in small numbers round our shores, but it is extremely scarce and somewhat erratic in its choice of breeding-quarters, which often vary from year to year. It arrives very late in May, and leaves our shores as soon as the young can fly, so that it is not often met with on migration. It breeds sparingly on the coast of France, but its chief breeding-quarters are along the Atlantic coast of the United States.
In general habits it resembles its congeners, but it is an exclusively sea Tern, obtaining most of its food some distance out at sea.
In plumage it is almost indistinguishable from the two following species, but it may be recognised at all ages by the white inner margins to the primaries reaching the tip and even some little way up the outer web. The bill in the breeding season is black; legs and feet red. Length 15·5 in.; wing 9 in.
THE COMMON TERN
Sterna fluviatilis, Naumann
This species arrives in May and nests in colonies round the whole of the coast as well as on some inland waters. In England it is the commonest Tern, but in Scotland and Ireland the Arctic Tern is almost if not quite as numerous, and both species may often be found nesting on the same island or beach.
Its food consists of small fish and crustacea, which it catches after the manner of all Terns by dropping down on them with closed wings from a moderate height.
COMMON TERN
Sterna fluviatilis
Summer. Young flying
They nest in colonies on rocks, shingle beaches, or near the margins of large inland waters, and very little attempt at a nest is made, though this species almost invariably gathers a few bents together. The eggs are usually three in number, often only two, and are very variable in colour, being as a rule greenish or stone buff, with brown and grey spots and markings.
The note is a sharp “kik-kik,” but during the nesting season they utter a loud “ee-arre,” which is rather characteristic of this species.