COMMON SKUA. 603 



rather long ; three toes in front, palmated ; the hind toe small ; claws large, 

 strong, very much curved. Tail slightly rounded, the two middle feathers 

 generally elongated, sometimes considerably. Wings moderate, the first quill- 

 feather the longest. 



THE various species of the genus Lestris have long been 

 separated by naturalists from the true Gulls, from a just 

 appreciation of the differences in their external characters, 

 and also in their habits. The Skuas may be considered as 

 forming a conspicuous portion of the predaceous division 

 among the swimming birds, as indicated by their powerful 

 mid hooked beak and claws. Their food is fish, but they 

 devour also the smaller water birds and their eggs, the 

 flesh of whales, as well as other carrion, and are observed 

 to tear their prey to pieces, while holding it under their 

 crooked talons. 



Many of the true Gulls are listless and timid ; the Com- 

 mon Skua and its generic companions are, on the contrary, 

 courageous and daring, harassing the smaller Gulls perpetu- 

 ally. They rarely take the trouble to fish for themselves, 

 but, watching the Gulls while thus employed, they no 

 sooner observe one to have been successful than they imme- 

 diately give chase, pursuing it with fury ; and obliging it 

 from fright to disgorge the recently-swallowed fish, they 

 descend after it to catch it, and are frequently so rapid and 

 certain in their movements and aim as to seize their prize 

 before it reaches the water. It is on this account these birds 

 have been called Parasitic Gulls, because they are supported 

 by the labours of others. John Barrow, Esq., in the descrip- 

 tion of his voyage to Iceland, mentions the amusement 

 afforded to the party in the yacht, when watching the 

 Brown Gulls chasing the White Gulls. 



The various species of Lestris are inhabitants of the 

 most Northern regions, rarely going farther south in 

 Europe, even in winter, than the line of our southern shore. 



