TERN or FARN ISLANDS, a group of small islets and rocks, 17 in number, lying off the coast of Northumberland, but included in the county of Durham. There are two lighthouses on these islands. It was here in 1838 that Grace Darling and her father in stormy weather rescued the passengers of the "Forfarshire" steamer. The Fern Islands are frequented by immense numbers of sea-birds.