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, KICHAKDSON'S. 

 SKUA ARCTIC GULL. 



LA.EUS 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 



