PROCEEDINGS OF SOaETfES. 9 



wings moderate, the first quill feather the longest. To this mav be added an indo- 

 mitable and fierce courage, which gives them the complete mastery over the gulls 

 and terns. They inhabit the hiirher degrees of latitude in both hemispheres, where 

 they are more common than in tlie warm or temperate parts of the globe. It is 

 unnecessary on this occasion to go more minutely into description ; I hhall detail the 

 following incidents, which I witnessed, and which will exhibit the habits and instinct 

 of Lestris cataractcs: — In the middle of September, some five or six years agri, 

 when examining the lofty clifts in the vicinity of Stradbally, county Waterford, the 

 day being remarkably fine and warm, not a breath of wind stirring, the fea like a 

 sheet of glass, my attention was drawn to an immense flock of the herring gull 

 floating on the smooth water ; their shadows reflected so as to deceive the eye, 

 making each bird appear double. This flock was an object of great interest to a 

 number of fishermen, who mentioned to me that the gulls appearing in that 

 manner indicated the advent either of the herring or the sprat. Such a perfect pic- 

 ture of repose I have seldom witnessed, and I was about to pursue my ramble, when 

 suddenly the entire flock of gulls rose with a confused sound of screeching and 

 screaming which literally filled the air with a noise it would be impossible to descrilie. 

 To this was added a rapid whirling and turning, which strongly reminded me 

 of a swarm of bees when emerging from, the hive. The men at once observed that 

 the fish had arrived, and immediately left to prepare their not". However, on 

 gazing some time longeron the evolutions of the birds, I distinctly saw a large dark 

 bird pursuing a gull, which it hunted through the mazes of the screaming flock with 

 as much pertinacity and skill as a well-trained hound would follow its game, but all 

 to no purpose. Presently the gull separated from the flock and made towards the 

 spot I was standing on ; but its relentless pursuer was not to be baffled ; increasing 

 its speed and making a quick and sharp turn, it struck the gull fiercely and pullc<l 

 out a quantity of feathers ; on the moment the gull ejected two or three small fish, 

 which the Skua at once caught. The gull then winged its way back to the flock, 

 the Skua quietly following, and soon both were again reposing as quietly as before, 

 the entire flock settling down as if nothing had happened. On another occasiun 

 (the beginning of last year), during a severe gale, I went down to Kingstown to see 

 the effect of the very heavy sea which broke over the eastern pier. A large flock of 

 gulls had congregated immediately next the pier, where it strikes into the sea fipom 

 the shore. The gulls were busily engaged in the capture of the fry of the conger 

 eel, which had been disturbed by the violence of the waves from their hiding places. 

 The fry appeared to be very plentiful, and were about twelve inches m length. 

 However busy the poor gulls were there was an attendant on them (Skua cataraciejj) 

 far more industrious ; for no sooner had he perceived that a gull had taken an eel 

 than he was imraeiliately attacked and compelled to relinquish his gam<' ; and, how- 

 ever it might be regretted that the legitimate captor was deprived of his prey, still 

 there was an ample recompense in viewing the graceful manner of the skua when 

 taking the fallen fish from the crest of the wave. This bird is a great favourite in 

 the higher latitudes, bemg hailed with delight by the inhabitants of the Shetland 

 Islands as being the forerunner of the advent of fish, and being the protector of their 

 Iambs from the eagle, which bird they attack with surprising courage whenever 

 they approach their breeding grounds, and drive them off". I now draw your atten- 

 tion to the Pomarine Skua (Lestris pomarinus), which is noticed by Mr. Thompeon 

 " as of occasional occurrence in autumn and winter on various part<< of the coast of 

 Ireland — it is next in size to the cattiractes, partakes in the general habits of it and 

 the other species of the genus ;" preferring a life of plunder to one of independent 

 industry. There is but one record of the bird being obtained in adult plumage, and 

 that was in Ireland. It was the first in this plumage noticed within the British 

 Isles ; neither does it breed in the British Isles. The name of Skua is considered 

 to have been adopted from the note of this bird, which sounds like " skui." Bewick 

 appears not to have been acquainted with this bird, as he does not notice it in his 

 work. Altogether it is the rarest of the Skuas which visit our coasts. Richard- 

 son's Skua (Lestris Rtchardsonii) next occupies our attention. It is noticed by Mr. 

 Thompson ^*as occasionally procured on the coast;*' and the specimen before yuu, 

 shot at Malahide on the 27th September, 1837, is the bird-frwm which Mr. Thomp- 

 son drew up his description. The bird appears to me to be in immature plumage 



