Caspian Tern

In size and belligerency the CASPIANS dominate the family.

Many years ago I was crouched in a blind on Shinnecock Bay waiting tensely for a flock of Yellowlegs to come within range of my single-barrel 30-gage, when a harsh ha, ha, ha, directly overhead, scared me.

A side glance showed a large white bird with red bill pointed at my cap and coming like a javelin. I ducked, waved an arm and the menace swung off with a jeering cry of triumph. As did Thoreau's Indian, he probably "like play sometime!" Anger at intrusion may result in part of a colony suddenly destroying their own eggs. Usually the nesting birds work off their vexation in "cussing" and "fell swoops."

Any intrusion on the sacred area around each home means fight. Bird-children who wander are turned back and too venturesome youngsters are apt to have their trips terminated by death at the bills of nabors.