174 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.— (Immature.) 



Case 220. 



During autumn and winter tlie immature birds of this 

 species are commonly met with in various parts of the 

 British Islands, frequenting both fresh and salt water. 

 The specimens in the case were shot on Hickling 

 Broad in January, 1872. 



ARCTIC SKUA.— (Mature.) 

 Case 221. 



This bird may still be found breeding in many parts of 

 the north of Scotland and the adjacent islands, the 

 nest being placed on the open moor. 



On land, as at sea, the Arctic Skua for the most 

 part procures its food by robbery ; those that I have 

 seen in Strathmore usually persecuting the Unfortunate 

 common Gulls that have the misfortune to nest in 

 the same localitv. 



The male and female in the case were discovered, 

 on being opened, each to contain four Smolts, or young 

 Salmon. Fish, as a rule, is their diet, but this they 

 occasionally vary with eggs, swallowing, I believe, the 

 whole or the greater part of the shell, as I have often 

 noticed castings composed entirely of egg-shells on the 

 mounds where these birds are in the habit of resting. 



The specimens were obtained in Strathmore, in 

 Caithness, in June, 1869. 



