74 
THE POMARINE SKUA. 
(STERCORARIUS PoMARINUS.) 
An egg which I received amongst others which belonged 
to Wheelwright, labeled ‘Pomarine Skua,’ corresponds 
accurately with his description in his ‘Sweden’ that they 
are like ‘Crepidatus’ but more pointed, ‘‘ one I have, which 
I belteve to be authentic, from Lapland, is move pointed than any 
I evey saw.” 
The egg of which I speak is a deep rich olive, darker 
and larger than any eggs of Richardson’s Skua, long and 
pointed, it much resembles the drawing in Mr. Seebohm’s 
work: I sent it to Mr. Seebohm last year for his opinion ; 
he considered it ‘Richardson’s Skua.’ Its dimensions are 
2.48 by 1.66 inches. Saunders gives 2.45 by 1.7 inch. 
Seebohm 2.4 by 1.7 inch to 2.25 by 1.6 inch. 
I have received eggs of similar dimensions taken by 
Mr. G. S. Kennedy, on 21st June, 1884, on Round Island, 
Alaska ; the nest being on the ground just above high 
water mark, and by Mr. R. S. White, taken on 16th 
June, 1882, in Iceland. 
The egg in the Edinburgh Museum, presented by the 
Smithsonian Institute, bears little similarity to those 
noticed above, it is shaped more like the egg of Larus; 
the ground is not quite so dark an olive as Lestris; and 
the markings more distinct; and hieroglyphical. It tal- 
lies exactly with two eggs in my collection, taken by Mr. 
N. G. Sargent from a nest which contained but two; 
composed of a few reeds, and grasses on the ground ; on 
30th June, 1884, on Revolution Island, Hudson’s Bay, 
the incubation was not begun; and he shot the bird from 
the nest for identification. They measure 2.37 by 1.76 
inches ; ovate. 
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