THE SKUA GULL ELACK-llEADED GULL. 



407 



THE SKUA GULL. 



Tlie Skua Gull inhabits Norway, the Feroe Islands, and other parts 

 of tlie north of Europe. It is the most formidable bird of its tribe ; its 

 jjrcy being not only fish, but (what is wonderful in a web-footed bird) 

 all the lesser sorts of water-fowl, and (according to the account of !Mr. 

 Schroter, a surgeon of tlie Feroc Isles) Ducks, Poultry, and even young 

 Lambs. 



Dogs, Foxes, and other animals arc instantly attacked and so severely 

 dealt with by the wings and beak of the Skua, as to be driven to a 

 hasty retreat, and no bird is permitted to approach with impunity ; other 

 ■CJulis are however exposed to the attacks of these robbers, probably 

 because, being the most diligent ])ursuers of fish, they are sure to find 

 from their exertions a never failing supply. The nest consists of dried 

 weeds. There are two eggs of a dark olive-green blotched with brown. 



In defending its offspring it has the fierceness of the Eagle. When 

 the inhabitants of the Feroc Islands visit the nest of the Skua Gull, the 

 parent birds attack them with such force, that, if they hold a knife 

 perpendicularly over their heads, the Gulls will sometimes transfix 

 themselves in their fall on the ])lunderers. 



In Foula, the Skua Gulls are 

 ]>rivileged ; being said to defend 

 the flocks from the attacks of the 

 Eagle, which they beat off and 

 pursue with great fury ; so that 

 even that rapacious bird seldom 

 ventures to approach the places 

 which they inhabit. The natives _ 

 of Foula on this account impose P 

 a fine upon any person who de- E 

 fitroys one of these useful defend- E 

 ers : and deny that they ever in- S 

 jure their flocks or poultry ; but T 

 imagine them to live only on tlx 

 dung of the Arctic Gull and : 

 other larger birds. ^ 



BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



This species, very common in 

 most parts of America, is also 

 frequent in Europe, particularly 

 in the warmer parts, as the coasts 

 of Sicily, Spain, and the islands 

 of the Mediterranean ; elsewhere 

 in that continent it is rare. In 

 America it is found as far south 

 as Cayenne and JMexico, but does 

 not appear to inhabit far north of 

 the limits of the Union. Ou the 



AKCTIC (ib'LLB IN tVIISUlT. 



