SANDWICH TERN.
STERNA CANTIACA, J. F. Gmelin.
Sterna cantiaca, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 606 (1788); Nauru.
x. p. 50; Macg. v. p. 630; Hewitson, ii. p. 4 7 8 ; Yarr.
ed. 4, iii. p. 510; Dresser, viii. p. 301.
Hirondelle de mer Caur/ek, French; Brand-Meerschwalbe,
German; Golondrina de mar, Spanish.
It is a somewhat remarkable fact that this handsome
bird, which is by no means uncommon in several British
localities, should have retained, since 1784, the name
of the ancient town near which it was observed and
obtained for the first time in this country in that year.
I have no sort of ill feeling towards Sandwich either in
its primary or secondary signification, but it strikes me
that the word as applied to this bird is nearly as absurd
as "Bohemian" Waxwing or "Dartford" Warbler. I
have seen but very little of this species in our Islands,
and have never visited any of its breeding-haunts, but I
have met with it frequently in the Mediterranean, and
rarely in the Ionian and Adriatic seas. In all its habits,
as observed by me, it closely resembles the other Sea-
Terns of my acquaintance, but when travelling its flight