244 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



but the colonies are difficult of access. From the steamer 

 one can see them coming off by dozens even before 

 reaching the Vestmann Isles, each bird hunting singlv 

 as a rule, and attaching itself to the Arctic Terns and 

 Kittiwakes. Sometimes two would join together in the 

 , chase, and once 



we saw a Rich- 

 ardson's and a 

 Great Skua in 

 joint pursuit of 

 aKittiwake.but 

 the Great Sku?. 

 monopolized the 

 plunder when 

 the chase was 

 over. The 

 steady flapping 

 flight, generally 

 low down, was 

 not at first im- 

 jiressive, but it 

 was wonderful 

 to see the quick- 

 ness with which 

 every turn and 

 twist of the gull 

 or tern was 

 followed when 

 once the Skua 

 started in pur- 

 suit. Unlike 

 the Fulmars and 



NEST OF GREAT SKTA. 

 {Photographed by Johnson Wilkiii'^on.) 



Shearwaters, the Skua rarely glides, and then only 

 for short periods : it keeps up a steady and tolerably 

 quick wing-beat nearly all the time. Formerly there 

 was a flourishing colony of these birds on the 

 river Olfusa, ])ut it is now reduced to a couple of 

 pairs. While watching a pair of these birds make their 



