BRITISH BITID.S' XESTS. 255 



with the darker colour. The markings are generally 

 scattered over the surface of the eggs, but are 

 sometimes collected round the larger ends. They 

 resemble those of the Goldfinch very closely indeed, 

 but are said to run larger, and the ground colour to 

 be of a darker tinge. The situation of the nest and 

 a sight of the owner are the only reliable evidences, 

 however. Size about -66 by -52 in. 



Tiine. — April, May, and June. 



Bemarls. — A winter visitor of erratic appearance ; 

 a few resident. Notes : call, a metallic l-eet ; alarm 

 note, cJiucl--a-cJtiicl-, l-eet. Some naturahsts represent 

 the call-note as a weak tit-tit-t it-tit , and tsyziug, 

 others as a loud deedel or deedlee. Local and ^other 

 names: Aberdevine (used by bird-catchers). Barley 

 Bird. Nest diflicult to find. A close sitter. 



SKUA, COMMON. Also Skua, Geeat. 



Description of Parent Birds.— Ijength about 

 twenty-four inches. Bill of medium length, hooked 

 at the tip, and with bare skin round its base, black. 

 Irides dark brown. Head and neck dark umber 

 brown, slightly streaked with lighter brown; back, 

 wings, and tail-coverts dark brown, streaked with 

 light reddish-brown. In some specimens the feathers 

 at the nape, and the middle and edges of those 

 on the back, are greyish-white. The wing-quills 

 are white at the base and blackish-brown towards 

 the tip ; tail-quills very dark brown. Chin and 

 front of neck, breast, belly, vent, and under tail- 

 coverts dusky rust colour. Legs, toes, and webs 

 black ; claws large, much curved, strong, and black. 



Situation and LocaJitij. — On the ground, amongst 

 moss or heather; in the Shetland Islands only, 



