157 



AKCTIC 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 Kittiwakes are 

 plentiful. When the boats are hauling their long 

 lines for haddies and whiting, hundred of Gulls 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 

 w r ing he attacks it. 



Three of the specimens in the case were killed 

 by a double shot while swimming close to an un- 

 fortunate 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. 



See " Kough Notes," Vol. III., Plate 46. 



BLACK-THROATED DIVER. (IMMATURE). 

 Case 225. 



Immature birds of this species are not 

 unfrequently met with during the winter in the 

 south of England, at times being found on both 

 fresh and salt water. 



The specimen in the case was shot on Heigham 

 Sounds in Norfolk in Februarv, 1871. 



