BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



359 



alists represent the call note as a weak tit-tit-tit-tit, 

 and tsyzing, others as a loud deedel or deedlee. Local 

 and other names : Aberdevine (used by bird- 

 catchers), Barley Bird. Nest difficult to find. A 

 close sitter. 



SKUA, COMMON. Also SKUA, GREAT. 



( Stercorarius cafarrhactes.) 

 Order GAVLE ; Family LARID.E (GULLS). 



Description of Parent Birds. 

 Length 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 speci- 

 mens 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 Locality. On the ground, amongst 

 moss, coarse short grass, and stunted heather ; at 

 two places in the Shetland Islands only, where the 

 birds and their nests and eggs are protected, and 



COMMON SKUA GETTING 

 READY TO ATTACK. 



