Although more than 150 species of birds may appear during the course of a year at Crane’s Beach, only a small number will be described here in any detail. Many of these will be summer birds that regularly nest on Castle Neck. The common and scientific names of the birds listed below are in accordance with the nomenclature in the latest edition (5th) of the American Ornithologists’ Union _Check-list_ (1957). BIRDS OF THE SEA [Illustration: Herring Gull] Herring Gull (_Larus argentatus_) Body is pure white Grayish-blue wings, tipped with black Somewhat larger than a Crow This is the familiar “Sea Gull,” one of many species so called. Its value as a beach scavenger and “garbage collector” has earned it protection by the federal government. While preferring the rocky coasts of Maine for nesting, the Herring Gull is by far the most familiar, if not the most common bird found at Crane’s Beach. [Illustration: Great Black-backed Gull] Great Black-backed Gull (_Larus marinus_) Much larger than Herring Gull Wings are black on top surface This beautiful gull, like its common cousin, is a scavenger. It is larger and more antagonistic than the Herring Gull and will often steal its food. In Maine, where both breed, the Great Black-back frequently feeds on the Herring Gull’s eggs or nestlings. [Illustration: Common Tern] Common Tern (_Sterna hirundo_) Small, sleek, white body Forked tail Black crown on top of head Orange-red bill These delightful, graceful birds are again nesting at the tip of the Neck. Their nest has been described earlier (page 7). Under government protection, their numbers have been increasing rapidly. Keep a sharp watch and you may spot an Arctic or Roseate Tern, both very similar to the Common. It is entertaining to watch the Tern fish. It hovers against the wind in one spot just off shore—then suddenly drops into the water, only to reappear again in a moment with some morsel of food. Repeated again and again, this performance becomes a real show which even the most uninterested sun bather cannot ignore. BIRDS OF THE BEACH [Illustration: Piping Plover] Piping Plover (_Charadrius melodus_) Small, sandy-colored bird Black neck ring and forehead markings Voice: A clear, forlorn “peep-lo” This rather rare shorebird so perfectly matches the dry sand on which it hunts that it is often completely invisible until it moves. If the sparsely lined nest is discovered, the parents go into a “broken wing” act to draw attention to themselves and away from their eggs or young. The four light buff eggs marked with black are laid in May. _Five Common Migrants_ Although rare, the Piping Plover has been described in detail because it does nest here. The following five birds are very common on the Neck during much of the summer but do not nest on New England beaches. [Illustration: Semipalmated Plover]