700 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



against the elements ; many were obliged to rest on the sands, 

 or were driven inland. It was impossible to face the mingled 

 rain, sleet, and sand, and therefore no captures were made 

 (cf. Zool. 1880, p. 511 ; and Field, 6th November 1880). 



In the year 1881, on 14th October, yet another flight of 

 these Skuas was observed during a north-west gale ; but 

 on this occasion they came down wind, and flew high over the 

 town into the country. The year 1886 was also known as 

 a " Skua year," large numbers being reported on the fishing 

 grounds ; on 14th October the fishermen said they had not 

 seen so many since 1879 ; a storm arose on the 15th and I saw 

 several small flocks pass by over the rocks {Nat. 1887, p. 82). 

 In the next year, 1887, they were very abundant off Flam- 

 borough, where some hundreds were noted in flocks of eight 

 to ten, going south. Off Redcar both adult and immature 

 birds were seen from 13th August to i8th October, on which 

 latter date I noticed thirty or forty flying to the north-west. 

 On 30th September 1889, six Pomatorhine Skuas flew past, 

 all mature birds, their white breasts and long tail feathers 

 being plainly discernible from my window {op. cit. 1889, 

 pp. 82-86). At intervals since the year named the species 

 has occurred on the Cleveland coast, but not in great quantity ; 

 it was fairly abundant off Scarborough in 1889 and 1892, 

 and on 26th October 1901, an immense congregation of 

 Pomatorhine and Richardson's Skuas, which at first were 

 mistaken for ducks resting on the water, was observed some 

 miles off Bridlington ; immature birds were also abundant 

 off the coast in October 1903 ; a few were obtained off Redcar, 

 and thirty-five specimens were brought in to Scarborough for 

 preservation. It is evident, therefore, from the foregoing facts, 

 that the bird is a fairly regular visitant in autumn ; its 

 migration is generally carried on in mid-October, and, although 

 it may not always be found close inshore, it is not uncommon 

 on the fishing grounds in the offing. It probably occurs on 

 the northward passage in spring also, but has hitherto escaped 

 notice. 



This Skua has been recorded at considerable distances 

 from the sea ; at Skipwith Common an adult male was found 



