514 NATATORES. CATARACTES. 



COMMON SKUA. 



CATARACTES VULGARIS, Flem. 

 PLATE C. 



Cataractes vulgaris, Flem. Br. Anim. 1. 137- No. 221. 



Cataractes Skua, Stephens, Shaw's Zool. 13. 215. 



Larus Cataractes, Ztnn.Syst. 1. 226. 11 Gmel Syst. 1. 03 Lath. Ind. 



Orn. 2. 818. sp. 12. 

 Catharacta Skua, Brunn. No. 125. 

 Lestris Cataractes, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. 2. 792. 

 Cataractes et Catharacta, Raii Syn. 128. A. C Will. 265. 

 Le Goeland Brun, Buff. Ois. 8. 408. 

 Stercoraire Cataracte, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. 2. 792. 

 Brown Gull, Alton's Br. Birds, 2. t. 85. 

 Skua Gull, Penn. Br. ZooL 2. 529. No. 243 Arct. ZooL 2. No. 531. A. 



Lath. Syn. 6. 385. 14 Lewin's Br. Birds, 6. pi. 211 Mont. Orn. 



Diet, and Sup Bewick's Br. Birds, ed. 1826, p. t. 229 Rennie's Mont. 



Orn. Diet. 463. 



Common Skua, Flem. Br. Anim. 1. 137. No. 221 Shaw's Zool. 13. 215. 

 Port Egmont Hen, Cook's Voy. 1. pp. 44, 272. 



PROVINCIAL Sea-Eagle, Bonxie, Skui. 



THIS bird, which appears to be the largest of its genus, 

 is of compact form, and bold disposition ; which latter qua- 

 lity is more especially seen during the season of reproduction, 

 a period when the instinctive passions of the feathered race 

 are called into unwonted activity. It will at that time at- 

 tack even man without hesitation, should he happen to ap- 

 proach the site of its nest ; and so impetuous is its attack, 

 that the natives of the Shetland Isles (its peculiar habitat in 

 this kingdom) are compelled on such occasions to defend 

 themselves by holding up a knife, or sharp stick; upon 

 which the assailant has frequently been known to transfix 

 and kill itself, whilst making its pounces upon the head 

 of the intruder. Dogs, foxes, and other animals, are in- 

 stantly attacked, and so severely dealt with by the wings 

 and beak of the strong and pugnacious Skua, as to be soon 

 driven to a hasty retreat, and no bird is permitted to ap- 

 proach with impunity; the Eagle itself being beaten off 



