THE COMMON SKUA. 



This bird is the largest and most remarkable of the Gulls. The skua inhabits 

 the arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and America, and is very abundant in the Orknej's 

 and Shetland Isles, breeding in communities upon Foidah, Unst, and Rona's Hill, in 

 ifainland. It is a rare and occasional visitor in the southern part of Great Britain. 



It is not merelj- bold, but ferocious in the breeding season. Selby says : " It will at that 

 time attack even man, without hesitation, should he happen to approach the site of its nest ; 

 and so impetuous is its attack, that the natives of the Shetland Isles are compelled, on 

 such occasions, to defend themselves by holding up a knife or sharp stick, on which the 

 assailant has been fi-equently known to transfix and kill itself, whilst making poimces on 

 the head of the intruder. Dogs, foxes, and other animals are instantly attacked, and so 

 severely dealt with by the wings and beak of the strong, pugnacious skua, as to be soon 

 driven to a hasty retreat, and no bird is permitted to approach with impunity ; the eagle 

 itself being beaten off with the utmost fury, should it happen to venture within the limits 

 of the breeding territory." 



In some places where these birds abound, they become the guardians of the young 

 lambs, which the people consider perfectly safe in summer; and as a return for this 

 protection, they are never molested, being held in no less esteem than the stork in 

 Holland, or the ibis in Egypt. < 'ther gulls are, however, exposed to the attacks of these 

 robbers, probably because, being the most diligent pursuers of fish, they are sure to find 

 from their exertions a never-failing supply. 



The nest of the skua consists of dried weeds. There are two eggs of a dark olive- 

 green blotched with bro^vn. The head is of a deep brown ; the neck and the under 

 plumage brownish- gray, marbled or tinged with reddish-brown. The bill and legs are black. 

 The duties of incubation being over, the skua retires from the open sea, and passes a 

 solitary life during the winter, far from land. 



* I.ostris C'atanaetes. 



