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 82 Bird - Lore

replaced on the nest will settle down immediately on the egg; thus showing how overpowering is the instinct to care for the young. Toward the end of September the birds begin to leave. They leave in great ﬂocks, and at night. The entire exodus consumes, apparently, but two or three days; and some morning the observer will ﬁnd the island absolutely deserted, save for a few crippled birds that have been injured and are unable to follow their comrades. About a week after the coming of the Noddies another species, the Soot)‘ Tern (Strrml fuligirmm), makes its appearance. These arrive in larger ﬂocks, and they all seem to reach the breeding place within about four days.

Within a week of the arrival Ff‘ of the ﬁrst one their eggs are .2" to be found, No nest is built,

, but usually a trace of a saucer- shaped depression is scratched in the sand. The favorite laying site was under the bay cedar

,» bushes at the northern extremity

" of the island. There the ground 5‘ had a fair covering of dried leaves, but hundreds of birds laid apparently at random, in the open, under the piazza of a little house, and in places where no sunshine got to them.

For about the ﬁrst two weeks the eggs are brooded only at night. but as time goes on they are better cared for. but by no means as clOSely attended to as are those of the Noddy.

The Sooty Tern is far more difﬁcult to approach than the Noddy, being of a much more nervous temperament, and when disturbed it will rise uttering a warning cry which is distinct from calls used on other occasions. This will be instantly taken up by the entire ﬂock, as it rises in a great cloud, to circle a few times over the island and then settle down again.

The Noddy is a silent bird, except for a prolonged hoarse, gutteral note uttered when molested or when squabbling. The Sooty Tern, on the other hand. is a most talkative bird, It has notes resembling more a

M ANVO'VWA R BIRDS