256 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



where, in spite of protection, we were told, during 

 our visit to the outer Hebrides, that not a single 

 young bird was reared during 189-1. 



Materials. Sometimes a few bits of grass are 

 used as a lining ; at others nothing is placed in 

 the hollow or cavity. Some nests are said to be 

 made of dead ling, moss, and dry grass. 



Eggs. Two, occasionally only one, varying from 

 light buff to dark olive-brown, blotched and spotted 

 with dark brown and rusty or greyish-brown. Size 

 about 2-85 by 1-95 in. Similar to Lesser Black- 

 backed and Herring Gulls, but markings are fewer 

 and duller, and presence of parent birds readily 

 settles the point. 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving at its breeding 

 haunts in April and leaving in August. Notes : 

 ag-ag and skua. Local and other names : Great 

 Squa, Bonxie, Brown Gull, Skua Gull, Morrel Hen. 

 Gregarious. It is said by one observer to prepare 

 several nests before deciding in which to drop its 

 eggs. Sits lightly. 



SKUA, GREAT. See SKUA, COMMON. 



SKUA, RICHARDSON'S. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 twenty inches. Bill moderately long, strong, 

 straight, except at the tip, where it is hooked, 

 bluish lead-colour at the base, and blackish else- 

 where. Irides dark brown. This bird is subject 

 to considerable individual variation, and there are 

 two distinct and well-marked varieties, known as 



