526 On the Nesting of the Potiiatorhine Skua. 



XXXI. — Notes on. the Nesting of the Pomatorhine Skim. 

 By C. J3o\CE Hill. 



(Plate XI.) 



In his notes on the Birds observed on the Yenisei river (Ibis, 

 1897, p. 107), Mr. H. L. Popham has briefly mentioned that 

 we found three nests of the Pomatorhine Skua ; but inasmuch 

 as comparatively little is known respecting the breeding of 

 this species, and as, I believe, we are the only Englishmen who 

 have handled the eggs in situ, there may, perhaps, be some 

 excuse for further remarks to accompany the illustration 

 (Plate XL). 



On our way down the Yenisei, the steamer which was 

 towing us fortunately ran ashore on one of the numerous 

 sandbanks which abound in this river. I say fortunately, 

 because it enabled vis to discover this Skua nesting. After 

 having enquired the probable duration of our stoppage, 

 Popham and I agreed to explore the small islands near at 

 hand — a group named the Brekotsky. We took one each, 

 and on miije, a large flat marsh, I observed a Pomatorhine 

 Skua, which was presently joined by another. The birds 

 did not appear at all demonstrative nor to resent intrusion, 

 like the Long-tailed Skuas, so 1 thought they could not be 

 nesting. But after much searching and watching, 1 observed 

 one settle right in the centre of the marsh, so at once pro- 

 ceeded to the spot ; the bird rose when I vras within a few 

 yards of it, and to my delight I saw the nest with two eggs. 

 I waited a few moments for the Skua to come within shot, and 

 killed it; after pursuing its mate, I captured that also. 



The nest was a mere depression in the ground, on a spot 

 rather drier than the surrounding marsh, and to reach it I was 

 at times up to my knees in swamp, so that, had it not been for 

 a foundation of ice at a depth of from 18 inches to 2 feet from 

 the surface, 1 do not think I should have been able to record 

 this event. I also found nesting on this island some Scaup 

 Ducks and Red-necked Phalaropes. In the evening Popham 

 and I together visited another part of the island, and were 

 rewarded by discovering, under similar conditions, another 

 nest of the Pomatorhine Skua containing two eggs ; and there 

 also the only other birds we observed nesting were Scaups 



