Burns 11 BIRDS' yESTS. 255 



with the darker colour. The markings are generally 

 scattered over the surface of the eggs, but are 

 sometimes collected round the larger ends. They 

 resemble those of the Goldfinch very closely indeed, 

 but are said to run larger, and the ground colour to 

 be of a darker tinge. The situation of the nest and 

 a sight of the owner are the only reliable evidences, 

 however. Size about "60 by '5^2 in. 



Time. — April, May, and June. 



Bemarlx^i. — A winter visitor of erratic appearance ; 

 a few resident. Notes : call, a metallic lieet ; alarm 

 note, cJiucl--a-cJii(cIi, I'eef. Some naturalists represent 

 the call-note as a w^eak tit- tit- tit-tit, and tsi/zing, 

 others as a loud deedel or deedlee. Local and other 

 names : Aberdevine (used by bird-catchers). Barley 

 Bird. Nest difficult to find. A close sitter. 



SKUA, COMMON. AUo Skua, Geeat. 



Descriptio)i of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 twenty-four inches. Bill of medium length, hooked 

 at the tip, and with bare skin round its base, black. 

 Irides dark brown. Head and neck dark umber 

 brown, slightly streaked with lighter brown ; back, 

 wings, and tail-coverts dark brown, streaked with 

 light reddish-brown. In some specimens the feathers 

 at the nape, and the middle and edges of those 

 on the back, are greyish-white. The wing-quills 

 are white at the base and blackish-brown towards 

 the tip ; tail-quills very dark brown. Chin and 

 front of neck, breast, belly, vent, and under tail- 

 coverts dusky rust colour. Legs, toes, and webs 

 black ; claws large, much curved, strong, and black. 



Situation and Locality. — On the ground, amongst 

 moss or heather ; in the Shetland Islands onlv, 



