Outlines for Scout Workers

Outlines for Scout Workers

By Delbert W. Parratt, B. S.

XXVIII — The Caspian Tern 1. To what order does the Caspian tern belong? What other birds belong to this order? 2. How does it get its name? 3. Tell of its size, shape and coloring. Compare it with the gull. 4. Where found? When does it visit our valley? 5. — Nest where and how built? Give number and color of eggs. 6. Describe the young. 7. Of what does its food consist? How obtained? 8. Describe its flight. What name is sometimes given to it because of these characteristics? 9. Tell of its call. 10. Should it be protected? Why? ' '

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Handy Material

It is said the beautiful bird now before us was first observed along the shores of the Caspian Sea by Pallas, and hence was named the Caspian tern. It belongs to the order Langipennes or Long Winged Swimmers. The gulls also belong to this order and are therefore very closely related to the terns. The Caspian tern, measuring twenty-one inches in length, is the largest of all terns, but somewhat smaller than the gull. Its bill is longer and more pointed than that of the gull and, duriug breeding season, is of a striking reddish color, but at other times is of a

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peculiar orange tint. When the tern is in flight the bill points downward in an unusual manner, thus giving this graceful flyer a mark by which he can be easily distinguished from all the gulls. A black cap adorns his flat head and a pearl-gray coat cov- ers his well-shaped back and long, tapering wings. The latter, however, are usually tipped with darker patches, crossed by narrow bars of silver gray along the extreme ends of the wing feathers. His under parts and breast are white and his legs are almost black. The feet, being webbed, are much like those of a duck, but the toe nails longer in proportion. Both male and female are much alike in size and dress; however, the male is a little larger and has color markings slightly more pro- nounced, especially during mating season. Caspian terns are found during one season or another in most parts of the world. Those living in our valley spend the cold winter months along the warmer coasts of California or else the Gulf of Mexico. They come to us in early May and often remain until the middle of October. Their favorite nesting places are along the secluded shores of our inland sea, but at times their nests have been found fur- ther east along the alkaline lakes, even as far as the Hot Springs Lake, within the present limits of Salt Lake City. Ordinarily they nest in rather large colonies and present a beautiful sight, circling over their nests at the approach of some intruder. The nest is usually nothing more than a shallow depression in the sand or among pebbles and shells, lined at times with a scant supply of sea-weed or a few blades of grass. The two or three eggs are buff in color, and often marked with brown or lavender. They are surprisingly large for the size. of the bird, and in consequence have been in demand for kitchen purposes. For many years fishermen along the Atlantic coast and on the large inland lakes gathered the Caspian's eggs and readily sold them at considerable profit. This business flourished at first, but of course gradually grew less and less as these relentless exploiters pressed their greedy scourings. At length the Audubon Societies came to the rescue of the remain- ing terns, and under the protection afforded, the birds are now increasing to their former numbers. The young tern is covered with down of brownish gray. This, together with the blackish on wings and tail, blend almost perfectly with the little fellow's surroundings. He takes ad- vantage of this, for when in danger he squats low and remains motionless in the hope of not being seen. However, if you touch him he scurries off for some distance and squats again. The Caspian tern's food consists almost entirely of fish, al-

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though some writers add frogs, grasshoppers and other insects to his diet. After a meal- he often skims over the water with his keen eye on the lookout for some unsuspecting fish. When it is spied he darts into the water and rarely misses bringing Mr.

Fish to the surface in his^long bill. Sometimes, as he darts toward the water, the fish escapes, and then, without touching the water he gracefully rises and flies on. One author says, "Were the sea a marble platform or a steel mirror not a terr that thus changed its mind would ever hurt itself, though often within a hair's breadth of being dashed to pieces." Terns are usually quite noisy, especially during breeding season. Their call is a loud, harsh "kay-awk," or "key-rak," uttered only when the birds are flying. They are gay, mischiev- ous, and quick in action.Though web-footed and with oily texture to the plumage, they are more fond of flying than swim- ming. They are rarely seen resting upon the water, but go skim- ming along above its surface or fly high in the air, dipping and darting in graceful curves and circles, making one think of the glides, dips, and turns of a swallow. Indeed, this remarkable ability as a graceful, swallow-like flyer has given to the tern the popular and appropriate name of sea swallow.

All wings thou art, all wings and arrowy power, Flashing like foam along the breaker's crest; All grace, careening lazily at rest; Poised in the luminous heights that are thy dower.

White on the dimpling waves like some sea flower Floating by fairy isles, thou slumberest; Swifter than winds hurled screaming from the West, Thou launchest fearless from thine airy tower.

Mate of the storm and wild, wide ocean skies, Had I thy lordship over seas and air, To what strange heights might I uplift mine eyes! To what empyrean deeps might I not dare! But I am bound to Earth and blind surmise, And thou, Dark Soul, thou soarest unaware. — H. Greenham.

Kimball Farm, Raymond, Alberta, Canada