90 Allen's naturallst*s library. 



Range outside the British Islands. — During the breeding seasori 

 the Pomatorhine Skua is found in the arctic tundra of both 

 hemispheres, and in winter the species wanders into the 

 southern oceans, having been obtained in Northern AustraUa, 

 Western and South-western Africa, and on the coast of Peru. 



Habits. — Mr. E. W. Nelson, who met with the present species 

 in Alaska, writes : "They are clumsy and cowardly birds as 

 compared with their smaller relatives. When one of this 

 species happen to cross the path of the smaller species, the 

 latter almost invariably gives chase, and beats its clumsy 

 antagonist off the field by repeatedly darting down from above. 

 This attack embarrasses the large bird so much that it flinches 

 and dives, and often alights and watches an opportunity to 

 escape from its nimble assailant. One that was driven to alight 

 in the river thrust its head under water at every swoop of its 

 enemy, and exhibited the most ludicrous terror. When on the 

 wing they usually ward off an attack from one side by a half- 

 closed wing, and if from above, both wings are raised, forming 

 an arched shield above the back. This large bird has a low, 

 harsh, chattering cry when feeding with its companions. The 

 peculiar twist of the long tail-feathers of this species renders it 

 conspicuous and identifiable at almost any distance." 



Mr. II. J. Pearson noticed the Pomatorhine Skua off Novaya 

 Zemlya, but did not succeed in finding a nest. He thinks 

 that many of them do not breed in bad seasons, and adds : 

 " If this idea should prove to be a fact, it may be a provision 

 of nature to prevent the Skuas from becoming too numerous. 

 They are well able to defend their eggs and young from the 

 birds of prey found in the same countries and equally capable 

 of taking care of themselves, so that the only foes they need 

 fear are old age and deficiency of food." 



Nest. — A mere depression in the moss. 



Eggs. — Two in number. Similar to those of the Great Skua, 

 but much smaller, and not so dark in colour, as a rule. The 

 groundcolour is a very deep olive or clay-brown, the spots 

 being reddish brown, or more often blackish brown, and 

 having a tendency to become confluent round the larger end. 

 Sometimes the overlying markings are very faint and the grey 



