Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birds Vol 1 #3 – The Meadowlark

March 29, 2012 by Lee

Meadowlark - Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, 1897

Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited

Vol 1. March, 1897 No. 3

THE MEADOW LARK.

“Not an inch of his body is free from delight.
Can he keep himself still if he would? Oh, not he!
The music stirs in him like wind through a tree.”

HE well known Meadow or Old Field Lark is a constant resident south of latitude 39, and many winter farther north in favorite localities. Its geographical range is eastern North America, Canada to south Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario to eastern Manitoba; west to Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, eastern Kansas, the Indian Territory, and Texas; south to Florida and the Gulf coast, in all of which localities, except in the extreme north, it usually rears two or three broods in a season. In the Northern States it is only a summer resident, arriving in April and remaining until the latter part of October and occasionally November. Excepting during the breeding season, small flocks may often be seen roving about in search of good feeding grounds. Major Bendire says this is especially true in the fall of the year. At this time several families unite, and as many as two dozen may occasionally be flushed in a field, over which they scatter, roaming about independently of each other. When one takes wing all the others in the vicinity follow. It is a shy bird in the East, while in the middle states it is quite the reverse. Its flight is rather laborious, at least in starting, and is continued by a series of rapid movements of the wings, alternating with short distances of sailing, and is rarely protracted. On alighting, which is accompanied with a twitching of its tail, it usually settles on some fence rail, post, boulder, weedstock, or on a hillock in a meadow from which it can get a good view of the surroundings, and but rarely on a limb of a tree. Its favorite resorts are meadows, fallow fields, pastures, and clearings, but in some sections, as in northern Florida, for instance, it also frequents the low, open pine woods and nests there.

The song of the Meadow Lark is not much varied, but its clear, whistling notes, so frequently heard in the early spring, are melodious and pleasing to the ear. It is decidedly the farmers’ friend, feeding, as it does, on noxious insects, caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers, spiders, worms and the like, and eating but little grain. The lark spends the greater part of its time on the ground, procuring all its food there. It is seldom found alone, and it is said remains paired for life.

Nesting begins in the early part of May and lasts through June. Both sexes assist in building the nest, which is always placed on the ground, either in a natural depression, or in a little hollow scratched out by the birds, alongside a bunch of grass or weeds. The nest itself is lined with dry grass, stubble, and sometimes pine needles. Most nests are placed in level meadows. The eggs and young are frequently destroyed by vermin, for the meadow lark has many enemies. The eggs vary from three to seven, five being the most common, and both sexes assist in the hatching, which requires about fifteen or sixteen days. The young leave the nest before they are able to fly—hiding at the slightest sign of danger. The Meadow Lark does not migrate beyond the United States. It is a native bird, and is only accidental in England. The eggs are spotted, blotched, and speckled with shades of brown, purple and lavender. A curious incident is told of a Meadow Lark trying to alight on the top mast of a schooner several miles at sea. It was evidently very tired but would not venture near the deck.

Circle B - Eastern Meadowlark by Lee

THE MEADOW LARK.

I told the man who wanted my picture that he could take it if he would show my nest and eggs. Do you blame me for saying so? Don’t you think it makes a better picture than if I stood alone?

Mr. Lark is away getting me some breakfast, or he could be in the picture, too. After a few days I shall have some little baby birds, and then won’t we be happy.

Boys and girls who live in the country know us pretty well. When they drive the cows out to pasture, or when they go out to gather wild flowers, we sit on the fences by the roadside and make them glad with our merry song.

Those of you who live in the city cannot see us unless you come out into the country.

It isn’t very often that we can find such a pretty place for a nest as we have here. Most of the time we build our nest under the grass and cover it over, and build a little tunnel leading to it. This year we made up our minds not to be afraid.

The people living in the houses over there do not bother us at all and we are so happy.

You never saw baby larks, did you? Well, they are queer little fellows, with hardly any feathers on them.

Last summer we had five little birdies to feed, and it kept us busy from morning till night. This year we only expect three, and Mr. Lark says he will do all the work. He knows a field that is being plowed, where he can get nice, large worms.

Hark! that is he singing. He will be surprised when he comes back and finds me off the nest. He is so afraid that I will let the eggs get cold, but I won’t. There he comes, now.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)©USFWS

Lee’s Addition:

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12 KJV)

Meadowlarks are birds belonging to the genus Sturnella in the New World family Icteridae. The two here in the U. S. are the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks. Very southern US can see the Lillian’s

This genus includes seven species of largely insectivorous grassland birds. In all species the male at least has a black or brown back and extensively red or yellow underparts.
The genus Sturnella comprises:

Red-breasted Blackbird, Sturnella militaris - Video
White-browed Blackbird, Sturnella superciliaris - Video
Peruvian Meadowlark, Sturnella bellicosa - Video
Pampas Meadowlark, Sturnella defillippi - Video
Long-tailed Meadowlark, Sturnella loyca - Video
Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna - Video
Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta - Video
Lilian’s Meadowlark, Sturnella lilianae

Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited

The above article is an article in the monthly serial for March 1897 “designed to promote Knowledge of Bird-Live.” These include Color Photography, as they call them, today they are drawings. There are at least three Volumes that have been digitized by Project Gutenberg.

To see the whole series of – Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited

(Information from Wikipedia and other internet sources)

Next Article – The Long-eared Owl (Great Horned)

Previous Article – Black Tern

Sharing The Gospel

Links:

Internet Bird Collection

Wikipedia – Meadowlarks

Posted in Birds | Tagged Birds, Birds Illustrated by Color Photography, Birdwatching, Christian, From The Past, Meadowlark, Singing Birds, Vol 1 #3 March 1897 | 3 Comments »

The Black-throated Sparrow – The Desert Dwellers

March 28, 2012 by a j mithra

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)by Daves BirdingPix

The Black-throated Sparrow – The Desert Dwellers ~ by a j mithra

The Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) is a very distinctive small, brown bird found in open areas with scattered shrubs and trees, including deserts and semi-desert grasslands in the intermountain region in the western United States, northern Mexico, and Baja California. It is sometimes referred to as the Desert Sparrow, due to its preferred habitat of arid desert hillsides and scrub. This name usually refers to the Desert Sparrow of Africa and Asia.

Though this little bird chooses to dwell among the desert, it never has stopped singing has it?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did just that when they were thrown into the furnace which was seven times hotter.

That may be the reason why the Lord who is the pillar of cloud strolled with them in the furnace that day!
Probably they knew the secret that our God loves to dwell among our praises.

Peter and Silas did just that when they were beaten, bruised, chained and thrown into the jail. But, still they praised and you know what happened? Their praise released not only their bondages but also of those who were with them and it also shook the jail’s floor..

Have you ever tried praising God in your darkest hour?

Try worshipping like Peter and Silas and you will see the light shine not just at the end of the tunnel but all around you and also over every one who is the dark around you…

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) ©WikiC

The Black-throated Sparrow is a small, gray sparrow that reaches a length of about 4.5-5.5 inches and has a distinctive black throat, with a bold white stripe above its eye and another down its cheek. The black tail is outlined in white except at the tips of the middle tail feathers. Juveniles, who retain this plumage into October, lack the black throat of adults and are lightly streaked.

Usually found in cactus and sagebrush deserts, especially on rocky slopes..

Sagebrush has bacteriostatic, astringent, and antioxidant properties.
Sagebrush kills bacteria, inhibits free radicals, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic actions, and so is most useful as a cleansing first aid wash for disinfecting wounds and skin irritations.
The leaves can be very useful in the kitchen as a means of protecting stored dried food from insects and rodents.

This maybe the reason for these little birds to choose a desert like place to live, since these plants grow among the dry desert slopes.

Don’t ever think that God has placed you in a dry desert to punish you..
He separates you so that you will turn into a better vessel that would glorify His name..

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, Itis my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. (Zechariah 13:9)

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) ©WikiC

The Black-throated Sparrow is considered to be better adapted to this type of ecosystem than any other seed-eating bird in North America. Adapted to dry habitats, Black-throated Sparrows can survive long periods of time without supplemental water, obtaining moisture from the seeds and insects that make up their diet. In the hottest part of the summer, however, supplemental water is necessary. In the winter, seeds make up the majority of their diet. During the breeding and nestling season, insects become more important. When available, berries and other fruits, as well as fresh green shoots, are also part of their diet.

Do you feel that God has put you in the wrong place?
Remember that God has created you to be unique to live where no one else can even dream of stepping in.
Have you forgotten that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you?

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (I Peter 5:6)

They travel in small groups, though larger groups may accumulate around sources of water in the desert.

Right now, you and your family may not see hope and may feel like as if you are wandering through the desert.

I just want to encourage you that God does not take us to the desert to kill us but to show us that He is still care for us.

If God can give water to these birds in the desert, will He not give us?
Well, He is still able to bring everything from nothing.
So, congregate as a family in the presence of the Living Water and look out for a miracle which is on its way..

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. (Psalm 107:35)

Its call is high and bell-like, and its song is a fairly simple, mechanical tinkling.

You don’t have to be a great singer to bring God’s presence.
Our God is a simple God and He prefers our worship to be just simple.
Remember God doesn’t look for your voice; He just wants to hear your noise.
The wall of Jericho came down due to the noise and not the voice of Joshua and his people.

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. (Joshua 6:20)

Yours in YESHUA,
a j mithra

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Posted in Birds | Tagged A. J. Mithra, Bible, Birds, Birdwatching, Blessings, Christian, Christianity, Desert, Sparrow | 4 Comments »

Birds in Hymns – Sweet Is The Memory Of Thy Grace

March 27, 2012 by Lee

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) eating by Jim Fenton

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. (Psalms 145:7 KJV)

Sweet Is The Memory Of Thy Grace

Words by Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David, 1719.

Music: Hermann, by Nikolaus Hermann, 1560

Sweet Is The Memory Of Thy Grace

Sweet is the memory of Thy grace,
My God, my heav’nly King;
Let age to age Thy righteousness
In sounds of glory sing.

God reigns on high, but not confines
His goodness to the skies;
Through the whole earth His bounty shines,
And every want supplies.

With longing eyes Thy creatures wait
On Thee for daily food;
Thy liberal hand provides their meat,
And fills their mouths with good.

How kind are Thy compassions, Lord!
How slow Thine anger moves!
But soon He sends His pardoning word
To cheer the souls He loves.

Creatures with all their endless race
Thy power and praise proclaim;
But saints that taste Thy richer grace
Delight to bless Thy Name.

See More Birds in Hymns

Words from Net Hymnal

Posted in Birds | Tagged Birds, Birdwatching, Christian, Christianity, Creature, Hymbn, Hymn, Provision | 2 Comments »

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Pacific Robin

March 26, 2012 by Ian

Pacific Robin (Petroica multicolor) by Ian 1

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Pacific Robin ~ by Ian Montgomery

Newsletter – 3/25/12

The Pacific Robin was another bird that I was keen to photograph on Norfolk Island. It has only recently been split from the mainland Scarlet Robin and, until that happened, it attracted little attention. As a consequence, I had trouble sourcing photos, particularly of adult males, and getting reliable material for the description of the species for the digital version of the Australian field guide by Pizzey and Knight.

It’s not common on Norfolk Island with an estimated population of 400-500 species and its distribution is restricted to areas of native forest. Happily, there was a resident family at the place, Palm Glen, where we did regular evening vigils for the Norfolk Island Parakeet and, being more confiding than Scarlet Robins, the members of the family proved to be good subjects for photography. The first photo shows the adult male. At first glance, it looks like a small Scarlet Robin, but closer examination reveals the diagnostic lack of white on the flight feathers of the wing and the outer tail feathers: the only white on the wing is the secondary wing coverts. Another supposed difference is a smaller area of white on the forehead, but this bird at least seemed to me to show much more white, extending back to a point above the rear of the eyes. If you’re interested, compare with http://www.birdway.com.au/petroicidae/scarlet_robin/index.htm .

Pacific Robin (Petroica multicolor) by Ian 2 Fem L-Juv R

The second photo shows the adult female, left, and the juvenile, right, posing obligingly for comparison. Both lack the obvious white forehead spot characteristic of, in fact diagnostic of, their Scarlet Robin counterparts and also lack white in the outer tail feathers. The colours are also richer and the wing stripes are a deeper buff, almost blending with the buffish-brown of the rest of the wings and back. The third photos shows the same female face-on, and the lack of the white spot is more obvious: there is only slight white scalloping.

Pacific Robin (Petroica multicolor) by Ian 3 Fem

The fourth photo is another shot of the same juvenile, showing the lack of white on the outer tail feathers.

Pacific Robin (Petroica multicolor) by Ian 4 Juv

Having noticed the large amount of white on the forehead of the male, I kept an eye out for another individual and eventually photographed this one, fifth photo, on nearby Mount Pitt. This too had a large white spot.

Pacific Robin (Petroica multicolor) by Ian 5

The Pacific Robin, as now described, is quite widely distributed on islands in the South Pacific from the Solomons in the north via Vanuata and Fiji to Norfolk Island in the south. It is quite variable in plumage and 14 races have been described. It is closely related to the Tomtit of New Zealand, the males of which vary in colour from the white-breasted (North Island), through yellow-breasted (South Island) to the complete black race on the Snares: http://www.birdway.com.au/petroicidae/tomtit/index.htm. There is clearly enough material here to keep a South-sea-island-loving taxonomist busy for at least a lifetime and I won’t say anything further except to note an interesting historical twist in the story of the splitting of the Pacific and Scarlet Robins.

Norfolk Island was settled in the same year as Sydney, 1788, and one result of that was that the Scarlet Robin was described using a Norfolk Island specimen (the type specimen) by German Naturalist Johann Gmelin in 1789 and given the specific name multicolor. When the species was split 210 years later, the rules governing taxonomy insist that this name remains with the Norfolk Island bird, so the mainland species becomes the new one and was named boodang after the SE Australian race (up till thenPetroica multicolour boodang). To avoid confusion in Australia (at the risk maybe of increasing it in the Pacific Islands) the common name Scarlet was transferred to the new species and the new name Pacific was given to the old species.

I’m sure this family of birds at Palm Glen would be astounded to learn that their kind is the subject of such intense scrutiny!

Best wishes
Ian

*************************************************

Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Tel 0411 602 737 ian@birdway.com.au
>Check the latest website updates:
http://www.birdway.com.au/#updates

Lee’s Addition:

He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; (Matthew 16:2 NKJV)

Those changes aught to keep the Bird Guide writers busy keeping up with the divisions and name changing. What a gorgeous bird and fantastic photography. Thanks again, Ian, for sharing all these great birds.

It seems small in the photos, so I checked to see its size. “The Pacific Robin is a small passerine, 4.5-5.3 in (11.5–13.5 cm) long and weighing .31-.38 oz (9–11 g.) Over much of its range it is the smallest species of bird. Pretty small.

The Pacific Robin is in the Petroicidae – Australasian Robins Family. Also see Ian’s Petroicidae Family.

“The Pacific Robin is a seasonal breeder, although the timing of the breeding season varies across its range. Information on the timing of the season is patchy or absent in many islands. On Norfolk Island the breeding season is from September to December, and in Vanuatu the season is from October to January. Parents with young have been seen in mid August in the Solomon Islands and in June through to September in Samoa. The species builds a compact nest which is a cup of plant fibres and spider webs. The outside of the nest is decorated with moss and lichen, and is therefore easily overlooked. The nest is usually set into a fork or stump on a tree branch, or on a horizontal branch.

Around two to four eggs are laid in each clutch, with two being the typical clutch size in Norfolk Island, and two to three being typical in Fiji. The eggs are dull grey or greenish, and are incubated by the female. The nests of Pacific Robins are parastised by Fan-tailed Cuckoos where the two species co-occur.” (Wikipedia)

See – Pacific Robin (Wikipedia)

Posted in Bird of the Week | Tagged Birds, Birdwatching, Ian Montgomery, Nature, Norfolk Island, Petroicidae, Photography | Leave a Comment »

Start Birdwatching Today: Some Background Information

March 26, 2012 by Lee

Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) by Peter Ericsson

We know from Genesis 1 that the God created the birds, along with everything else. They were created on the fifth day. When Adam became conscience, the birds and critters were already present for him to discover and enjoy.

Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. (Genesis 1:20-23 NKJV)

Then the LORD God brought the birds to Adam to let him give them a name.

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. (Genesis 2:19 NKJV)

Psalm 111 reminds us that the things that were created are great and are to be “sought out” and enjoyed.

The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. (Psalms 111:2-4 KJV)

Fast forward to today. If Adam was to enjoy the birds and put names on them, should we not try to discover them, enjoy them, and try to figure out what their names are?

Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) and Dan at Brevard Zoo

The birds are all around us, in the sky flying or gliding on the wind (currents), on the power lines, on feeders, on bushes, in trees, or singing or calling in the distant. (Sometimes they are even on cameras.)

Start birdwatching today for pleasure and realize the goodness of the Lord to us.

See series in Birdwatching section.

Posted in Birds | Tagged Birds, Birdwatching, Birdwatching Tips, Christian, Creation, Nature, Start Birdwatching Today | 3 Comments »

Birdwatching Trip to Circle B in March 2012

March 24, 2012 by Lee

Sandhill Crane Chick at Circle B by Lee

We had not been to Circle B recently, nor especially out to the Marsh by the windmill. Actually the windmill has lost its blades. It is a long trek out there for me, but praise the Lord, one of the workers came along with one of their vehicles and gave us a ride to the marsh. We were greeted by a group photographing Sandhill Cranes with their baby. That would have made the trip worth it alone.

Of course there were other birds awaiting our arrival. It is never boring out there. Since we had parked up by the entrance to get to the marsh, when we got out of the car and were getting our cameras and binoculars, we were greeted by the sound of a Pileated Woodpecker. When we returned, the Pileated showed off and we got some close-up shots of two of them. They were right by the pavilion and didn’t seem to mind those of us nearby.

Great Blue Heron with Catfish at Circle B by Lee - cropped

Another neat observation was the Great Blue Heron that caught a fish, actually a catfish. He was out from the edge a bit, but was able to zoom in on him. Took some video of it trying to kill the fish.

It is still quite dry out there as the rains have not started yet. It has been rather dry this winter. Water levels are still low.

I am including some photos and video taken out at Circle B that day. Video has segment of Great Blue with the Catfish and a close-up of the Pileated Woodpecker. Notice how he uses his tail to support himself.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3 NKJV)

Here is the list from e-bird for that trip. (37 species total)

6	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
2	Mallard
20	Blue-winged Teal
4	Pied-billed Grebe
5	Double-crested Cormorant
4	Anhinga
2	Great Blue Heron
1	Great Egret
1	Little Blue Heron
2	Tricolored Heron
2	Cattle Egret
7	White Ibis
5	Glossy Ibis
2	Black Vulture
4	Turkey Vulture
5	Osprey
1	Bald Eagle
1	Red-shouldered Hawk
1	American Kestrel
10	Common Gallinule
25	American Coot
3	Limpkin
3	Sandhill Crane
1	Lesser Yellowlegs
1	Laughing Gull
2	Mourning Dove
2	Red-bellied Woodpecker
2	Pileated Woodpecker
1	Blue Jay
4	Tree Swallow
1	Carolina Wren
1	Magnolia Warbler
1	Palm Warbler
1	Savannah Sparrow
1	Northern Cardinal
5	Red-winged Blackbird
10	Boat-tailed Grackle

JavaScript required to play Great Blue Heron-Catfish-Pileated Woodpecker.

See more Birdwatching Adventures out at Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Florida.

Wordless Birds

Posted in Birds | Tagged Birds, Birdwatching, Birdwatching Trips, Christian, Circle B Bar Reserve, Florida, Nature, Photography | 2 Comments »

Birds Vol 1 #3 – The Black Tern

March 23, 2012 by Lee

Black Tern, Mother and young with eggs, for Birds Illustrated

Birds Illustrated by Color Photography – Revisited

Vol 1. March, 1897 No. 3

THE BLACK TERN.

HE TERN,” says Mr. F. M. Woodruff, of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, “is the only representative of the long-winged swimmers which commonly nests with us on our inland fresh water marshes, arriving early in May in its brooding plumage of sooty black. The color changes in the autumn to white, and a number of the adult birds may be found, in the latter part of July, dotted and streaked here and there with white. On the first of June, 1891, I found a large colony of Black Terns nesting on Hyde Lake, Cook County, Illinois. As I approached the marsh a few birds were seen flying high in the air, and, as I neared the nesting site, the flying birds gave notes of alarm, and presently the air was filled with the graceful forms of this beautiful little bird. They circled about me, darting down to within a few feet of my head, constantly uttering a harsh, screaming cry. As the eggs are laid upon the bare ground, which the brownish and blackish markings so closely resemble, I was at first unable to find the nests, and discovered that the only way to locate them was to stand quietly and watch the birds. When the Tern is passing over the nest it checks its flight, and poises for a moment on quivering wings. By keeping my eyes on this spot I found the nest with very little trouble. The complement of eggs, when the bird has not been disturbed, is usually three. These are laid in a saucer shaped structure of dead vegetation, which is scraped together, from the surface of the wet, boggy ground. The bird figured in the plate had placed its nest on the edge of an old muskrat house, and my attention was attracted to it by the fact that upon the edge of the rat house, where it had climbed to rest itself, was the body of a young dabchick, or piedbilled grebe, scarcely two and one-half inches long, and not twenty-four hours out of the egg, a beautiful little ball of blackish down, striped with brown and white. From the latter part of July to the middle of August large flocks of Black Terns may be seen on the shores of our larger lakes on their annual migration southward.”

The Rev. P. B. Peabody, in alluding to his observation of the nests of the Tern, says: “Amid this floating sea of aquatic nests I saw an unusual number of well constructed homes of the Tern. Among these was one that I count a perfect nest. It rested on the perfectly flat foundation of a small decayed rat house, which was about fourteen inches in diameter. The nest, in form, is a truncated cone (barring the cavity), was about eight inches high and ten inches in diameter. The hollow—quite shallow—was about seven inches across, being thus unusually large. The whole was built up of bits of rushes, carried to the spot, these being quite uniform in length—about four inches.” After daily observation of the Tern, during which time he added much to his knowledge of the bird, he pertinently asks: “Who shall say how many traits and habits yet unknown may be discovered through patient watching of community-breeding birds, by men enjoying more of leisure for such delightful studies than often falls to the lot of most of us who have bread and butter to earn and a tiny part of the world’s work to finish?”

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) by J Fenton

Lee’s Addition:

The Terns are in the Charadriiformes Order and the Laridae Family is part of that order. Laridaes include Gulls, Terns and Skimmers. The Tern, per se, is not a Gull, but are related and would be close in “kind.” The Birds of the Bible – Sea Gulls gives several articles that have been written here. The Sea Gull is found in the list of unclean birds given in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind; (Leviticus 11:16 NKJV)

“The Black Tern, Chlidonias niger, is a small tern generally found in or near inland water in Europe and North America. As its name suggests, it has predominantly dark plumage. Adult are 25 cm (9.75 in) long, with a wing span 6/1 cm (24 in), and weigh 62 g (2.2 oz). They have short dark legs and a short, weak-looking black bill, measuring 27–28 mm, nearly as long as the head. The bill is long, slender, and looks slightly decurved. The North American race, C. n. surinamensis, is distinguishable from the European form in all plumages, and is considered by some to be a separate species.

In flight, the build appears slim. The wing-beats are full and dynamic, and flight is often erratic as it dives to the surface for food; similar to other tern species.

North American Black terns migrate to the coasts of northern South America, some to the open ocean. Old World birds winter in Africa.
Unlike the “white” Sterna terns, these birds do not dive for fish, but forage on the wing picking up items at or near the water’s surface or catching insects in flight. They mainly eat insects and fish as well as amphibians.

The North American population has declined in recent times due to loss of habitat. Point Pelee National Park in Canada boasts a robust population of black terns.” (Wikipedia)