POMARINE SKUA, 491 



13f ; tail 6 ; bill along the ridge l-^ ; tarsus 2 ; middle toe 

 1-Y2, its claw -^. 



Progress toward Maturity. — M. Temminck represents 

 middle-aged individuals as having the Avhole plumage of a 

 very dark brown. A specimen of this kind in my collection 

 has the appearance of being quite adult, its bill being very 

 strong; its tarsi very rough, Avith convex and conical scales; 

 and its claws strong and much curved. The bill has the 

 tips black, the rest greyish above, dusky brown beneath ; the 

 feet and claws black. The plumage is of a uniform blackish- 

 brown on the upper parts, of a lighter or sooty-brown on the 

 lower ; the bases and shafts, with part of the inner webs of 

 the quills and tail-feathers, white. The feathers on the neck 

 are stiffish and glossy. 



Length 20 inches ; wing from flexure 14^ ; tail 6-j% ; bill 

 along the ridge 1^^ j tarsus 2 ; middle toe 1^4? its claw -pV- 



