A R C T I C TERN.
STERNA MACRURA.
Tin; difference between the Arctic and Common Tern is at once apparent when a specimen of either
species is examined with care; it is, however, by no means easy, unless a close view is obtained, to
identify Ihe birds while on wing. A few words drawing attention to their distinctive marks may be of
service. The projectiog tail-feathers of the Arctic are decidedly longer than those of the Common Tern;
the grey tint on the plumage of the breast of the former is also considerably deeper. The mandibles of the
adult Arctic Tern arc a bright crimson (or perhaps carmine, I hardly know which to term the tint), while
dull black points terminate the beak of the Common Tern. In addition, the. length of the tarsi, which
measure three eighths of an inch more in the Common than in the Arctic Tern, is an unfailing guide.
This species, decidedly more .addicted to salt than fresh water, arrives off our coasts cither in company
with, or at much the same time as, the Common Tern; the habits and manner of obtaining a living
followed by the two birds are also exceedingly similar. During my travels in the north I met with
but few opportunities for inspecting the breeding-haunts of this species—the large colonies on the Fern
Islands, and a few of the smaller nurseries on the shores of the northern Highland fifths, where (not
unlVrquently intermixed with the Common Tern) this species rears its young, being all that have come
under my notice. "While making observations on the birds at the Fern Islands in lSti/, I noticed that Arctic
Terns were breeding in immense numbers, three large and two small colonies being established on various
parts of this barren and wind-swept group of rocks. 'While watching the birds at one of their largest
nesting-stations, situated near the centre of the islands, my attention was attracted by a flock of over a
hundred Terns collected on a low rock, that bandy topped the waves, some distance further out to sea;
on pulling quietly up, and examining them through the glasses, I ascertained that they were all immature
Arctic of the previous year, exhibiting darkly marked backs, and breasts suffused with a deep orange or
tawny hue. I ascertained that this conspicuous colouring bad led some of the Trinity nien belonging to
the inner lights, who professed a knowledge of the birds frequenting the islands, to bestow on them
the title of Roseate Terns ; the egg-col lector, however, a nephew of the celebrated Grace Darling, was
well aware to what species they belonged. These juveniles, I remarked, made no attempt to approach
the islands on which Ihe adult Arctics were breeding, or even to intermix with them when on wing;
though occasionally absent on lislung-exeursions for the best part of the day, they invariably took up
their quarters, when at rest, on one or the other of a few small reefs of rocks near the spot where
they first came under my observation.
The old lighthouse that in days gone by warned mariners to avoid the dangers of Ihese rank-hound
islands stands near the eenlrc of the group; the light on this antiquated building was in former times
supplied by a Large coal fire constantly burning on the summit, and the ashes thrown duwn from above
were allowed to accumulate in heaps round the basement, till the surf raised hy a heavy gale dashed