GREAT SKUA. 255 



a Gannet chased. Vicariously caught fish are not the only 

 food of the Great Skua, for it will pick up offal, gorge on a 

 carcase, and even slay smaller birds and devour them ; it is 

 also a robber of the eggs and young of other birds. 



In the Fasroes the Great Skua had a bad name and was at 

 one time in danger of extermination, but in Shetland the 

 shepherds look upon it as a friend, for it boldly drives away 

 other predatory species, even attacking and defeating the 

 eagles ; thus it unconsciously protects the flocks. But its 

 restricted breeding ground brought collectors to the Shetlands, 

 amongst them a dealer, and in 183 1, it is said, but two pairs 

 survived at the Unst colony. Since then, both at Unst and 

 Foula, protection has been afforded by the owners of the islands, 

 and now, though there have been some lean years, the numbers 

 are well maintained. The fact that within recent years small 

 branch colonies have been established in the Shetlands and 

 Orkneys is a hopeful sign. The Foula and Unst colonies are on 

 hills, one at any rate at over 1400 feet ; the nests are scattered 

 over the moor. The nest is usually a trodden depression in 

 ling or rough grass, somewhat loosely built of grass, and 

 littered around with feathers, remains of recent meals and cast- 

 up pellets of feathers, scales and bones. Two eggs (Plate 1 16), 

 light or dark olive-brown or buff, sparsely spotted with darker 

 brown and grey, are laid late in May. The down of the 

 nestlings is huffish sepia, and is without distinct markings ; the 

 bill and legs are leaden. In defence of eggs or young the 

 Bonxie is at its best, boldly attacking an invader of its territory, 

 though by no means always striking, but sweeping past with 

 a rush of wings. Those who have actually been struck give 

 different accounts, some declaring that it was the wing, others 

 the feet that hit them. The legs are lowered threateningly 

 when the screaming bird attacks, and Mr. R. Kearton believes 

 that the blow was delivered with the back of the foot. 



The adult bird has its umber-brown plumage streaked and 



