438 NATATORES. 



during the winter, is seen as far South as Mexico ; sometimes it 

 appears on the Pacific coast. 



The FOUR-TOED PARASITIC GULLS. JAGERS, or SKUAS. 



These birds all breed in high northern latitudes, spreading 

 themselves into the interior on lakes and rivers; but in the winter 

 are seen in temperate regions, and on this Continent as far South 

 as Mexico. The bill is of moderate length, cylindrical, and 

 hooked at the tip ; the hook and tip, of separate pieces ; the hind 

 toe is small, and on a level with the others; the tail is even or 

 rounded ; the central pair of feathers very much lengthened. 

 Of the several species, we can refer particularly only to 



The ARCTIC JAGER, Lestris, (Gr. a pillager,) parasiticus, which 

 is seen in great numbers in the northern regions. Like the other 

 Skuas, it obtains the greater part of its subsistence by pursuing and 

 buffeting the peaceable Gulls, and compelling them to give up the 

 produce of their toils. But the Jagers also feed on fish, insects, 

 and worms. Temminck particularly mentions the Janthina, or 

 Oceanic Snail, as forming a portion of their sustenance. " In 

 truth, no animal substances seem to come amiss to them." The 

 nests of these birds are composed of dry grass and mosses, and 

 placed on unfrequented heaths, at some distance from the shore ; 

 the eggs are two, of a dark olive green, with irregular blotches 

 of dark brown. Captains Parry and Ross speak of this bird as 

 abundant at Baffin's Bay and in the islands of the Polar Sea. 

 It is said, that it "is frequently met with inland, seeking its food 

 along the water courses which occupy the bottom of ravines ; 

 differing in this respect from the Pomarine Jager, L. pomarinus, 

 which is exclusively a Sea-bird." The length of the Arctic 

 Jager is twenty-three inches. The plumage is "close, elastic, 

 soft, and blended ; " on the upper parts blackish gray ; the neck 

 and lower parts, white, the former tinged with yellow. 



SIXTH FAMILY. PELICANS. , 

 Pelecanida, (Gr. Ttsfox&v, pelecan, a pelican.) 



The Pelican family are characterised by having the hind toe 

 united with the others in a single membrane, so that the whole 

 four toes are webbed. The bill is, generally, longer than the 

 head, strong, and sometimes compressed ; the mandibles are 

 dentate, (toothed ;) the nostrils mere slits, the aperture to which 

 is scarcely perceivable. With the exception of the Phaeton or 

 Tropic-bird, which, in many respects, agrees with the Gulls, 

 there is more or less of naked skin about the face and throat ; 



