44 111 HI) (i.UJ.KKY. 



largely of dwarf alpine plants. Patches of the little pink flower 

 Silene acaulis (some nearly a square yard in extent) abounded in 

 the proximity of the nest exhibited, and contrasted strikingly in colour 

 with the otherwise sombre surroundings. The eggs, three in number, 

 are yellowish-olive heavily blotched and spotted with brownish-black ; 

 they are laid early in June, and are remarkably difficult to find, owing 

 to the fact that the parent, if sitting, will allow itself to be almost 

 trodden on before it leaves the nest. 



Banffshire, 3300 feet elevation, June. 



Presented by Captain S. G. Reid, W. R. Ogilvie-Grant §■ 

 G. A. St. Quintin, Esqrs. 



No. 118. ARCTIC or RICHARDSON'S SKUA. 



(Stercorarius crepidatus.) 



This circum polar species, most common on the northern and eastern 

 coasts of Great Britain, breeds in the north of Scotland and has nume- 

 rous colonies on the Shetlands, Orkneys, and Outer Hebrides. It feeds 

 principally on fish obtained by robbing the smaller Gulls and Terns ; 

 but is also said to prey on wounded birds and on the eggs of other sea- 

 fowl. Two brownish-green eggs, blotched with dark brown, are laid 

 in a hollow in the moss or grass of the open moorland in the vicinity 

 of the coast. 



Two distinct phases of plumage occur, one being entirely sooty, while 

 the other has light under-parts : m the pairs exhibited, the light-coloured 

 specimen is a male. 



Island of Mousa, Shetlands, June. 



Presented Ly Lieut. G. II. Bruce, R.N. 



No. 118 a. LONG-TAILED or BUFFON'S SKUA. 



(Stercorarius parasiticus.) 



This circum polar species is a regular migrant to the British Islands, 

 but does not breed there, its nesting-places being further to the north. 

 Like its allies it feeds on fish taken from Gulls and Terns, while worms, 

 insects and crustaceans, as well as small birds and lemmings, also form 

 part of its diet. The eggs, usually two in number, are laid on the 

 ground in a slight hollow, and are smaller and greener than those of 

 the Arctic Skua. 



Lapland, June. 



Presented by J. Stares §• J. A. Vavies, Esqrs. 



