108 
to be more plentiful in America than in Europe. 
It is seldom or never seen on our coasts in the 
adult state, although young individuals are not 
unfrequently met with in winter, and may gene- 
rally be observed wherever Gulls are collected in 
pursuit of shoals of herrings or other fish. It 
has been thus found in the Frith of Forth, and 
has been met with as far as the southern coasts of 
England. Its habits ase similar to those of the 
other species of Skua Gulls. Great variations 
are observed in the colour of the plumage. 
GULL. RICHARDSON: 
Sxua Arctic GULL. 
Larus parasiticus, Lin. 
This active predatory bird leads a wandering 
life, seldom remaining long in one place, except 
during the breeding season. Its flight is rapid, 
gliding, and steady, when it is proceeding to a 
distance, but it turns, winds, sails, or shoots along 
with extreme dexterity on occasions, and is thus 
enabled to harass other Gulls and Terns while 
fishing, and to force them to drop or disgorge part 
of their food, which it catches as it falls. In 
autumn it is frequently seen on the wing in our 
estuaries, but in summer it betakes itself chiefly to 
the northern coasts and islands, where it breeds 
generally in societies. The nest is like that of the 
