Birds of Britain 



of all shades are found. The central tail feathers are 

 longer than the rest. Length 20 in. ; wing 13 in. 



The young vary considerably, but are usually brown, 

 mottled and spotted with chestnut, while in some the 

 chestnut colour is almost entirely wanting. 



THE LONG-TAILED OR BUFFOUS 

 SKUA 



Stercorarius parasiticus (Linnaeus) 



This is a rare species to all our shores, but a few, chiefly 

 immature birds, visit the east coast yearly, and in some 

 seasons become quite common. It is a circumpolar species, 

 breeding on the tundras throughout Europe, Asia, and 

 America, and migrating in winter as far south as the basin 

 of the Mediterranean. 



In its habits it resembles other Skuas, but in addition 

 to robbing Gulls, it feeds largely on beetles and worms, 

 and the young eat a large quantity of crowberries when in 

 their summer-quarters. 



The adult has the top of the head black, cheeks and 

 hind neck buffish yellow, mantle and tail, the two central 

 feathers of which are much elongated, grey brown, wings 

 darker. Under parts chiefly white, brownish on the flanks 

 and belly. Length 23 in.; tail 8 '5 in.; wing 11 '9 in. 



Immature birds are barred above and below with brown 

 and yellowish white. It is sometimes rather difficult to 



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