82 BIRDS OF P. E. ISLAND.

there is nothing to disturb them, and trusting to the heat of the July sun to hatch the young.

Bonaparte’s Gull (Clzroicotep/lalus phz’laa’elp/zz'a) is our smallest and most abundant species in summer. Bonapartes come here the latter part of May, in company with the Terns, with whom they had travelled all the way from their winter- ing on the shores of Florida. They appear in large flocks at once, dipping, and whirling, and crossing, like drifting snow flakes, over the sunny wave. They love the quiet river waters, going up even into narrow creeks in pursuit of their fishing. With the fleet-winged T ems, they are the soul of life in our harbors, their soft titer mingling harmoniously with the harsh shrieking of the former. Bonapartes and Terns go, in July, to the outer reefs and sand banks for their nesting. Great numbers nest together, and such a place is then a scene of the most romantic activity and eager parental solicitude. The swift white wings are sweeping to and fro through the clear summer sky. The birds wander far over the sea in pursuit of their prey, and hastily re- turn with the captured prize for their young. If