TJic Skuas. 



209 



THE 



POMATORHIXE 



SKUA. 



[atcrcorarius 



putnalorhiniis.) 



The Pomatorhine Skua. 



The only difference of importance lietween the Great Skua 

 and the three smaller species which follow consists in the 

 elongation of the centre tail-feathers. The Pomatorhine Skua is 

 the largest of the three, and the middle tail feathers project for 

 about four inches beyond the others, and are vertically twisted. 

 It is not so active a bird as Richardson's or Buffon's Skua, and 

 is generally said to be less brave than those two birds. The present species breeds in 

 the tundra of the Arctic Re- 

 gions of both Hemispheres, 

 and only visits Great Britain 

 in winter. The nests are 

 simpl}- depressions in the 

 moss, and the eggs are of 

 the usual dark brown type 

 of those of Skuas, being deep 

 cla\--brown or olive-brown, 

 with reddish or blackish- 

 brown spots. They measure 

 about two inches-and-a-half 

 to two inches - and - three - 

 quarters in length. 



This species has the centre tail-feathers long and tapering 

 and projecting quite three inches beyond the others. It has two 

 phases, which are white-breasted or sooty-breasted in colour, and 

 the latter is generally considered to be a melanistic phase ol the 

 white-breasted form. In the high north the dark-coloured bird 

 is scarcely known, but in parts of Norway and in the north of Scotland, both light 

 and dark forms occur nearly in equal numbers, and often pair together. Richardson's 

 Skua is a very active and agile bird, and harries tlie Terns and small Gulls to make 

 them disgorge their prey. For this reason they are not loved by their relations, and 

 are regarded with suspicion liy other species, whose eggs they will try to carry 

 off. I have seen the normally peaceful Oyster-catcher attack one of these Skuas 

 and give it such a buffeting that it was glad at last to clear off. The nest is a 

 depression in the moss on the summit of a low island, and the eggs, two in 

 number, are dark chocolate, with brown or blackish spots, grey underlying 

 spots being also distinct. The length is from two inches-and-a ([uarter to two 

 inches-and-a-half. 



Very similar to the preceding species, but always much 

 greyer in appearance, and further distinguished In- the length of 

 the centre tail-feathers which sometimes attain the length of nine 

 inches : only the two outer primary quills have white shafts, 



'4 



RICHARDSON'S 



SKUA. 



iSt£rcorarius 



crcpidatus.) 



BUl'KON'S SKUA. 

 [StcYcorarius 

 parasiticus.) 



