CLASS AVES. 



137 



PIG. 230. 



Stffr'na wil'sonl. Wikou's Tern. 



FIG. 331. 



The Tern has long, pointed wings, a forked tail, and 

 slender, straight bill. The 

 graceful evolutions of this 

 "Swallow of the Sea," as it 

 skims over the water and 

 occasionally darts headlong 

 beneath the surface, are a 

 perpetual delight to the 

 observer. 



The Skua (sku'a) is re- 

 markable for its stout, 

 cered bill, hooked upper 

 mandible, and piratical 

 habits. It will even pursue 

 birds of its own family, 

 and force them to give up 

 their booty; and when 

 they have done so, it will 

 swoop down with the ve- 

 locity of an arrow, and 

 catch it before reaching 

 the water. Eggs and small 

 birds are also often a part 

 of its diet, proving how 

 well it merits the common 

 appellation given it by 

 fishermen as the " teaser." 



The Great Black-backed 

 Gull will stand as a type 

 of the many species which 

 inhabit the Atlantic coast. 



P T 



It feeds principally upon 



fish, though sometimes upon small birds or quadrupeds, 



Ster co ra' ri us par asif'i cus. 

 Arctic Skua. ( T V) 



FIG. 232. 



L<r r m mari'nus. 



Great Black-backed Gull. 



( T 'i-) 



