STERCORARIID^E — THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS — STERCORARIUS. 333 



is occasionally seen in tlie interior, on the Great Lakes, and on both of the Atlan- 

 tic shores, and is found far down the southern coast, to Africa on the east, and to 

 Florida on the west. 



It is abundant during the winter on the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts, and 

 is the common Gull Hunter of our fishermen. Single examples have been taken on 

 Lake Michigan in midwinter. 



A single example of this species was procured by Mr. MacFarlane on the Lower 

 Anderson Kiver, near the Arctic Ocean ; it was shot in June, 1863. It was not noted 

 by Mr. Dall as occurring in Alaska, and no specimen was secured ; but Mr. Bannister 

 refers to a Stercorarius with an apparently even tail, which he frequently observed 

 at St. IMichael's. 



Mr. Kumlien states that this bird was observed by him at Bourne Bay, New- 

 foundland, August 16 ; and he met Avith it from that point to latitude 71°. It was 

 abundant in many localities. He nowhere found it so common as on the southern 

 shores of Disco Island, where it Avas breeding on inaccessible cliffs. This bird lives 

 chiefly by plundering the Kittiwake ; but will also attack other species — even the 

 glaiicus. It is also very destructive of young birds and eggs. 



Specimens of this bird were secured at Fort Simpson by Mr. B. Boss ; at Fort 

 Eae by Mr. Clarke ; at Fort Resolution by Mr. McKenzie ; at Big Island by Mr. 

 Reid ; and it is said by Richardson to be a not uncommon species in the Arctic 

 Seas and in the northern outlet of Hudson's Bay, where it subsists on putrid fish 

 and other substances thrown up by the sea, and also on the matters disgorged by 

 the Gulls which it pursues. It retires from the north in the Avinter, and makes its 

 first appearance in Hudson's Bay in May, coming in from seaAvard. The Indians of 

 the Hudson's Bay region look upon it as the companion of the Eskimos, and as par- 

 taking of all the evil qualities ascribed to that hated race, and therefore hold it in 

 abhorrence. It is giA^en by Professor Reinhardt as being a resident species in Green- 

 land ; and Mr. Bernard Ross met Avith it on the Mackenzie. 



Professor Alfred Newton refers to Scoresby as having observed two species of Skua 

 in Spitzbergen, but thinks it doubtful Avhether one of them Avas this bird or the 

 longicaudus. Ross speaks positively as to a single example of this species having 

 been seen in Parry's voyage ; this flcAv past his boats, in latitude 82°. Professor 

 NcAvton adds that some of his party saw a bird in Sassen Bay Avhich Mr. Wagstaffe 

 described as having the form of the tail unmistakably characteristic of the adult 

 of this species. ISTo specimen has, howcA^er, been actually secured at Spitzbergen. 



An immature bird of this species is mentioned by Giraud as having been shot 

 on the south shore of Long Island. Its occurrence on that coast he regarded as 

 exceedingly rare. An example is recorded as having been obtained, July 4, 1869, 

 on the Susquehanna, in Lancaster County, Pa., by Mr. Vincent Barnard; and an adult 

 bird was secured by Professor Baird, during the summer of 1840, at Harrisburg, on 

 the same river. Such occurrences, of course, can only be regarded as accidental, and 

 cannot be readily accounted for. 



J. MatthcAV Jones records (" Am. Nat." IV. 253) that, Oct. 4, 1869, a fine example 

 of this species Avas shot at Digby, N. S. 



Professor NcAvton states that on his voyage to Madeira the steamer in Avhich he 

 Avas a passenger Avas folloAved by a company of about thirty birds of this species, 

 Avhich kept in close attendance while the vessel Avas Aveather-bound at Torbay ; and 

 about as many more were around each of tAVO other craft detained in like manner. 

 The birds Avere very tame, coming close alongside the quarter-deck in quest of food ; 

 and dire was the strife and loud the contention as one lucky bird after another seized 



