112 SKUA. 



the Cumberland coast, which allowed itself to be seized when 

 in the act of killing a Herring Gull. 



The Skua breeds in Shetland, and has three principal stations 

 there, namely, Foula, the Hill of Roria, in Mainland, and the 

 Isle of Unst. In Orkney it is but an ' occasional visitant. 

 A specimen was shot near Kirkwall in the winter of 1845-6, 

 and another has since been killed near Stromness. 



It is likewise an Irish species, but rare. One in Dublin 

 Bay. 



These birds are valued by the inhabitants of the places 

 where they build, as scaring away the Eagles from their flocks; 

 a pair have been seen to drive one from their nest. They 

 are preserved in some of the northern islands on this account. 

 They dash with extreme courage and boldness at any intruder, 

 increasing in the vigour of their attacks as the nest is more 

 nearly approached. Meyer thus writes, 'While the breeding- 

 season lasts, this Skua is exceedingly ferocious, for every 

 intruder, whether man, bird, or beast, is attacked by it, and 

 driven from the locality that it has chosen. Men, when 

 attacked, are obliged to defend themselves stoutly; dogs and 

 foxes are driven off the ground, and the Eagle itself is 

 obliged to take proper warning.' 



They have been kept in confinement; one for a period of 

 ten years or more. Many are killed in the north for the 

 sake of the feathers. 



The Skua soars at times at a great height, and flies both 

 strongly and rapidly, in an impetuous dashing manner. 



They may be considered as a sort of sea-hawk, and feed 

 on fish, and at times on other smaller birds and their eggs. 

 'They rarely, however, take the trouble to fish for themselves, 

 but watching the Gulls when thus employed, they no sooner 

 observe one to have been successful, than they immediately 

 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 und 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.' Hence also their other name of Pirate, as shewn above; 

 'Might versus Kight' being their only motto, and that upon 

 whose principle, or what we should call want of principle, 

 they act on every occasion that happens, but still following 

 only the proper instinct of their nature. With reference how- 



