BUTTON'S SKUA. 123 



at the end of October, 1837, and young ones on other 

 parts of the coast and the banks of the Tyne. 



In Scotland one of these birds was obtained at Bonar 

 Bridge, in August, 1841. 



In Ireland they have likewise occurred, but as rare 

 visitants; one in 1839, near Dublin. 



They also are seen in Orkney. 



This is another very elegantly-shaped species, its whole 

 form and contour giving evidence of its character as a sort 

 of predatory Sea Swallow, a very Harpy of the deep, but 

 one which, unlike the pests of that name described by Virgil, 

 reverses the order of things as to the 'dapes,' and does not 

 spoil the morsel so as to hinder its being swallowed by 

 those among whom it comes unbidden and unwelcome, but 

 pounces on the spoil all the more eagerly, for that the 

 others have first made it their own by what would naturally 

 be thought the most secure mode of appropriation. 



It flies no doubt in the same free and easy manner as 

 the other species. 



So likewise as to the manner of taking its food. 



This Skua Gull breeds on the shores of the sea, and those 

 of the larger rivers, as also on barren heaths at some dis- 

 tance inland: many birds build together. The nest is com- 

 posed of dry grass. 



The eggs are in number two, of a pale olive green colour, 

 with irregular blots of grey and dark reddish brown. 



Male; length, one foot one inch and a half; the bill, curved 

 at the point, is black at the end, the base dark greenish 

 brown; cere, dark greenish brown; iris, brown. Head on the 

 crown, black; neck on the sides and nape, pale yellowish 

 white; chin, throat, and breast on the upper part, white, 

 below light brownish grey. Back, brownish grey; greater and 

 lesser wing coverts, brownish grey; primaries, nearly black; 

 tertiaries, brownish grey. Tail, nearly black ; upper tail coverts, 

 brownish grey; under tail coverts, light brownish grey. The 

 middle feathers, which are very long and pointed at the ends, 

 extend nine inches beyond the others. Legs and toes, black 

 with a tinge of yellow; webs, black. 



