CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 181 



BED-THROATED DIVER. (WINTER.) 

 Case 232. 



During the winter months these birds are common all 

 round our coasts, great numbers, in addition to our 

 regular residents, arriving from the north of Europe, 

 and leaving again on the approach of spring. 



The specimens in the case were shot a few miles off 

 Brighton, in December, 1870. 



POMERINE SKUA. 

 Case 233. 



Though occasionally compelling the Kittiwake to pro- 

 vide it with food, this Skua more commonly attacks the 

 larger species of Gulls. 



Immature specimens may be observed in numbers in 

 the North Sea during autumn, following the large 

 flocks of Lesser Black Backs always in attendance on 

 the herring fleet. As winter advances they work their 

 way south, and are occasionally met with in the 

 English Channel. 



I have at times seen a few fine old birds in the early 

 part of the autumn off the Scotch coast, but the 

 majority are without the long feathers in the tail. 



On one occasion when at Yarmouth during the 

 herring season I was told by the master of one of the 

 fishing luggers-that he had shot a bird or two while on 

 the North Sea that he wished to show me. As I was 

 aware he had been afloat for at least a fortnight I 

 thought they might possibly be getting unpleasant, but 

 being assured they were as fresh as when they were 



