EICHAEDSON'S SKUA. 



Lestris Richardsonii. 

 Lanis parasiticus. 



HIS bird (with the other mem- 

 bers o£ the Skua family) has 

 been frequently spoken of and 

 written about as one of the 

 Gulls ; but the points of dif- 

 ference are numerous and 

 well-defined, and the charac- 

 ter of the bird is of itself quite 

 sufficient to show that such 

 an association is out of place. 

 Most of the true Gulls are 

 timid, companionable, and 

 industrious in the pursuit of 

 food ; but the Skuas are fierce 

 and bold, seldom fishing for 

 themselves, but perpetually 

 harassing the Gulls and Terns, 

 chasing them whenever they 

 see them, and compelling 



- them to relinquish any fish 

 they may have secured. In 

 addition to the food thus 

 fraudulently obtained, the 

 Skua is said to feed upon any 



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