. The water birds of North America [microform]. Birds; Water-birds; Oiseaux; Oiseaux aquatiques. r I 314 LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS â LONGIPENNES. li:: if If. II .i! !â ;i: tl '''. -I ? >( 4. the place he noticed flocks of Terns converging from various parts of the ocean to a spot apparently about a mile in front of him, and toward which he proceeded; and on surmounting a low ridge the whole scene was vlisclosed. A gradual incline of a quarter of a mile terminated in a plain of ten or fifteen acres in extent, which was literally covores in the coral sand, under low bushes. Their number was so gre
. The water birds of North America [microform]. Birds; Water-birds; Oiseaux; Oiseaux aquatiques. r I 314 LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS â LONGIPENNES. li:: if If. II .i! !â ;i: tl '''. -I ? >( 4. the place he noticed flocks of Terns converging from various parts of the ocean to a spot apparently about a mile in front of him, and toward which he proceeded; and on surmounting a low ridge the whole scene was vlisclosed. A gradual incline of a quarter of a mile terminated in a plain of ten or fifteen acres in extent, which was literally covores in the coral sand, under low bushes. Their number was so great, and they were sv> near each other, that great care was required in walking to avoid crushiui,' both young and old birds. Oct. 7, 1839, Dr. I'ickering vifited Cora , an annular coral reef, inundated at high water, with the exception of two banks, one of Avhich was covered by a grove of trees. Great nambers of birds were flying over about the grove. The Tenis, and especially Sterna fidiginosa, came out from the low branches in v;ist numbers. There were three species of Sterna, one of Frerjata, and three of »S'((/'' observed on this island; and nearly all of them were engaged in rearing their youii^. The Sooty Tern was present in larger luimbers than all the others combined, its breeding-place occupying the weather side of the grove, or that most exposed to tlie sea. Here the treas presented a dense growth of branches, reaching almost to the ground; and benenth these the birds were obliged to force themselves out before tlxv coidd take to flight The eggs of this sjjccies were laid on the ground, under the thicket, witliout any nest, but with some regularity, and at a distance of about two and a halt feet apart. In two nistances only, out of at least a tlioiisand nesta examined, were. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrati
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1884
