BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



;53 



Sreat Sftua. 



The Great Skua {Stercorarius cafarrhactes, Linnaeus) is 

 only known, whilst resident with us, to nest in the Shet- 

 lands, and is mostly met with on its way to and from more 

 northern districts during autumn and winter. It also 

 occurs in North-West Europe, and in the eastern parts of 

 Arctic America. The adult has the general colouration of 

 the plumage dark brown, with rufous or greyish margins 

 to the feathers ; basal portion of quills, white ; irides, hazel- 

 brown; bill, black; legs and feet, slate-black. Length, from 

 twenty-two to twenty-five inches. The female is similar to 

 the male. The young are said to be more uniform in 

 colour than the adults. 



23 



