176 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



ARCTIC SKUA. (MATURE, AUTUMN.) 

 Case 224. 



The present case shows a variety of shades and 

 colours in the plumage of this singular species. 



The perfectly black specimen on the left, together 

 with the one immediately beyond it, and the sitting 

 bird on the right, are females, the remaining four 

 being males. It will be thus seen that there is no 

 rule for the colouring of either sex. 



In the autumn these birds are very numerous off the 

 northern coast wherever Kitti wakes are plentiful. 

 When the boats are hauling their long lines for 

 haddies and whiting, hundreds of G-ulls are attracted 

 to the spot for the fish that fall from the hook while 

 being lifted on board ; these they snatch up within a 

 foot or two of the boat, but are frequently forced to 

 disgorge, should a Skua be near at hand. The robber 

 appears to take no notice of the Gull, if sitting on the 

 water, beyond watching it intently ; but the moment 

 it rises on wing he attacks it. 



Three of the specimens in the case were killed by a. 

 double shot while swimming close to an unfortunate 

 Kittiwake, which, having made a good meal, was 

 either too full or too frightened to fly. 



The birds were obtained in the Firth of Forth, in 

 August, 1874. 



BLACK-THROATED DIVER. (SUMMER.) 

 Case 225. 



Though but rarely seen in the south, this handsome 

 bird is still abundant in several parts of the Highlands; 



