366 , BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



moderate, and usually even ; tarsi moderate and strong ; the 

 toes moderate ; the fore toes united by a web, and the hind 

 toe generally short and elevated. 



Genus STERCORARIUS, Brisson. 



Bill moderate, straight, and strong, with the culmen 

 straight, rounded, and covered with a membranous or bony 

 cere ; the apex curved, vaulted, and strong ; the gonys much 

 angulated and ascending ; the nostrils placed in the fore part 

 of the cere, narrow, and enlarging anteriorly ; wings length- 

 ened and pointed, with the first quill the longest ; tail 

 moderate, rounded, with the two centre feathers sometimes 

 elongated ; tarsi longer than the middle toe, strong, and 

 covered in front with strong scales ; toes moderate and strong, 

 the anterior ones united by a full web ; the hind toe very 

 small, and hardly elevated. 



680. Stercorarius Catarractes. (Linnaeus.) 



Gould's B. of Eur., PL 439 ; Larus Catarractes, 

 Linn. ; Lestris Catarractes ; Common Skua, Bewick's 

 Brit. Birds, p. 216. 



GENERAL colour of the upper parts, dark greyish-brown, 

 streaked with brownish-yellow ; primary quills, brownish- 

 black, with their shafts and basal parts white ; there being a 

 conspicuous patch of that colour on the wing ; tail blackish- 

 brown, white at the base, but that colour not apparent there. 

 Length, 24" ; wing, 16 J"; tail, 7J". (McGillivray.) 



Several specimens of this fine Skua Gull appeared in Table Bay on 

 the 29tk of April, 1865, chasing the Solan Geese (Sula Melanura), 

 which nocked in to prey on the vast shoals of fish in the bay. My 

 son fired at one a week previous to this. They were plainly recognis- 

 able at a great distance, owing to the white spot on the wing, and 

 their size ; and while the smaller 8. Parasiticus attacked the little 

 gulls and terns, they confined their attentions to the solan geese, 

 compelling them to disgorge their hard-earned gains. 



681. Stercorarius Spinicauda, Hardy; Bp. 



Cons. Av., p. 210; Lestris Spinicauda; Lestris 



Parasiticus, apud G. R Gray. 



(A) Throughout, a dull 'sooty-black, slightly variegated on 

 the back of the neck with trown ; tail slightly pointed. 



(B) Throughout, mottled brown and fulvous, the latter 

 predominating on the neck and head ; obsolete on the tail, 

 which is much pointed. 



(C) Back of head, wings, and tail, deep sooty brown ; 



