THE TERN. 227

crucifixes, the lamb at the top, the pelican at the foot of
the cross*.”

Srerna Hirvnpo.—Common Tern, or Sen Swallow.

This bird is about fourteen inches in length; the bill is
crimson tipped with black, and above two inches long; the
neck, back, and wings are bluish-ash, the latter being very
long, the under parts pure white ; the breast slightly shaded;
the long forked tail white; legs and feet red, the three front
toes webbed; the forehead and top of the head deep black.

The tern is met with in many parts of Europe and Asia,
and is common during summer on our sea-coasts, rivers,
and lakes. The female makes her nest in the grass or moss
near the water, laying three or four eggs, of an olive-colour,
spotted with black. Wilson says, “The flight of the terns,
and indeed of the whole tribe, is not in the sweeping,
shooting manner of the land swallows, notwithstanding
their name; the motions of their long wings are slower,
and more in the manner of the gull. They have, however,
great powers of wing, and strength in the muscles of the
neck, which enable them to make such sudden and violent
plunges, and that from a considerable height too, headlong
on their prey.”

* Mrs. Jameson’s ‘ Legendary Art.’