The Arctic Skua and its Nesting 



birds he most persecutes are the tribe of the terns. A skua 

 will take up his station at the water's edge on, maybe, a sandy 

 beach from which terns and gulls are fishing. The pirate 

 seems to be dozing and is unheeded by the other birds, one of 

 which, near him, captures a fish too large for it to swallow 

 at once. Like a flash, the skua rises, and relentlessly pursues 

 his victim until the latter in terror drops its catch, which the 

 freebooter seizes before it has fallen to the water. Even a bird 

 of such command of flight as the tern very rarely indeed 

 succeeds in getting away from a skua, that is to say, with its 

 fish still in its possession. 



There is an interesting tradition regarding the skua in 

 the Hebrides. It is said that a former Lord MacDonald 

 was on his way by boat to Uist, and a big storm arose. 

 When near his destination a great sea almost overwhelmed 

 his boat, and two birds, a skua and a gull, were seen to be 

 engaged in combat in the air above the ship. The one was 

 "Yellow Claws," daughter of Donald, son of Cormas, the 

 other was "Hump-backed Blue-eye" from Cracaig. Both 

 birds were celebrated witches in disguise. The former was 

 endeavouring to sink the boat while the latter was attempting 

 to save it, and was successful, for Lord MacDonald arrived 

 safely at his destination. 



As soon as the young skuas are strong enough for the 

 journey south, both young and old leave their nesting 

 quarters, and set out for more southerly latitudes. At times 

 they are driven from their course by continued gales, and 

 large numbers may then be seen making their way south- 

 wards across inland districts. As a rule, however, they travel 

 by sea, or along the coastline. 



The Arctic skua is not known as a nesting species in either 

 England or Ireland though .found in one or two districts 

 on the mainland of Scotland as well as on certain Hebridean 

 islands and the Orkneys and Shetlands. 



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