330 LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



tarsus, 2.70-3.20 (2.96) ; middle toe, 2.55-2.80 (2.67). The differences pointed out by Mr. Saun- 

 ders, in his paper on the " Stercorariinse " (P. Z. S. 1876, pp. 321, 322), are perfectly constant in 

 the series we have examined. 



This is another species that has had, until quite recently, very doubtful claims to 

 a place in the fauna of North America ; since the only ground for such a claim was 

 its occurrence at Greenland, upon the coast of which it is said by Professor Rein- 

 hardt to be an occasional visitant. Mr. Bernard Ross, however, believes that he met 

 with it on the Mackenzie River. 



On the coast of California, as Dr. Cooper informs me, it certainly occurs very 

 rarely — if at all — as he has never seen it, nor met with it in local collections ; nor 

 does he know of its having been identified on that coast by any one. 



Mr. Kumlien procured a single specimen of this species at sea, hit. 41° N., G6° 

 W. ; and others were seen at the time. It is of frequent occurrence on the George's 

 and other banks in the winter. He met with it near Lady Franklin Island, north of 

 Hudson Strait, in September. The birds then were with their young on the rocks. 



A single specimen was procured off the coast of Massachusetts in the summer of 

 1878. It was taken alive by Captain Daniel Carroll, of Gloucester, on George's Bank, 

 early in July, with the aid of a fish-hook, and was kept by him on his fishing-schooner 

 a number of days. As it refused food it was thrown overboard ; but fortunately 

 was found and preserved by Professor Baird, and is now in the National Museum at 

 Washington. It is mentioned by Mr. G. R. Gray as having a habitat at Campbell 

 Island, Norfolk Island, and Macaulay Island. 



Mr. C. A. W r right (" Ibis," 1864) records the capture of a single specimen of this 

 species on the 9th of June, 1860, at Salini, on the north coast of Malta. 



Mr. A. G. More (" Ibis," 1865) states that the Great Skua only breeds, within the 

 limits of Great Britain, in the Shetland Islands, where its nesting has long been 

 known. There the birds extend to the Island of Uist, a little beyond lat. 61° N. 

 It is said by Mr. Wheelwright to be rare in the south of Scandinavia — never being 

 seen in the Baltic or in the Sound — but more common on the west coast of Norway. 1 



This bird is said to be common off the coast of Spain in the winter, outside of the 

 Straits of Gibraltar. 



Professor Alfred Newton speaks of it as abundant off the coast of Iceland, and 

 occasionally breeding some distance inland. According to Faber it is resident there 

 all the year ; he names four places in the southern part of that island where he has 

 known it to breed. Dr. Kriiper saw it in the north of Iceland in the summer time, 

 so that it probably breeds there also. It is known to inhabit the Faroe Islands. 



In the Island of Uist it is strictly preserved by the proprietors, the belief being 

 general that this bird will defend the flocks from the attacks of the Golden Eagle. 

 It is known to attack and drive off an Eagle if the latter approaches the nest of the 

 Skua, Mr. Dunn having been eyewitness to an occurrence of this kind at Rona's Hill. 

 It is also a great favorite with the fishermen, who consider its accompanying their 

 boats to the fishing-grounds as being a favorable omen, and in return give it the 

 refuse of the fish they catch. This bird does not associate in flocks, and two or more 

 pairs are rarely seen together. 



In the autumn and winter this Skua visits the coasts of Ireland, England, France, 

 Holland, and Germany. It is noted for its courage and daring, and for the predatory 

 attacks with which it harasses the Gulls, and compels them to disgorge the fish 



1 According to later authorities, this species is of rare and rather sporadic occurrence along the 

 Norwegian coast. 



