112 
SKUA. 
the Cumberland coast, which allowed itself to be seized when 
in the act of killing a Herring Gull. 
The Skua breeds in Shetland, and has three principal stations 
there, namely, Foula, the Hill of Iiona, in Mainland, and the 
Isle of Unst. In Orkney it is but an occasional visitant. 
A specimen was shot near Kirkwall in the winter of 1845-6, 
and another has since been killed near Stromness. 
It is likewise an Irish species, but rare. One in Dublin 
Bay. 
These birds are valued by the inhabitants of the places 
where they build, as scaring away the Eagles from their flocks; 
a pair have been seen to drive one from their nest. They 
are preserved in some of the northern islands on this account. 
They dash with extreme courage and boldness at any intruder, 
increasing in the vigour of their attacks as the nest is more 
nearly approached. Meyer thus writes, ‘While the breeding- 
season lasts, this Skua is exceedingly ferocious, for every 
intruder, whether man, bird, or beast, is attacked by it, and 
driven from the locality that it has chosen. Men, when 
attacked, are obliged to defend themselves stoutly; dogs and 
foxes are driven off the ground, and the Eagle itself is 
obliged to take proper warning.’ 
They have been kept in confinement; one for a period of 
ten years or more. Many are killed in the north for the 
sake of the feathers. 
The Skua soars at times at a great height, and flies both 
strongly and rapidly, in an impetuous dashing manner. 
They may be considered as a sort of sea-hawk, and feed 
on fish, and at times on other smaller birds and their eggs. 
‘They rarely, however, take the trouble to fish for themselves, 
but watching the Gulls when thus employed, they no sooner 
observe one to have been successful, than they immediately 
give chase, pursuing it with fury, and obliging it from fright 
to disgorge the recently-swallowed fish, they descend after it 
to catch it, and are frequently so rapid and certain in their 
movements and aim, as to seize their prize before it reaches 
the water. It is on this account these birds have been called 
Parasitic Gulls, because they are supported by the labours of 
others.’ Hence also their other name of Pirate, as shewn above; 
‘Might versus llight’ being their only motto, and that upon 
whose principle, or what we should call want of principle, 
they act on every occasion that happens, but still following 
only the proper instinct of their nature. With reference how- 
