THE GREAT SKUA BROODING. 



THE KING OF THE GULLS 



The kingdom of Sea-fowl which the Skua rides with tyrannical might 



By A. J. R. ROBERTS, B.A. 



Illustrated with Photographs by the Author 



AHEA\'IXG expanse of ocean, calm 

 as the Atlantic can ever be, mirrored 

 a cloudless June sky and glittered 

 in the merciless sunlight. Here and there 

 a flock of gulls rested on the water, 

 preening their gleaming white and pearly 

 grey plumage ; a few, still hungry, quar- 

 tered the ocean on effortless wings like 

 sleuth-hounds in their search for prey. 

 Presently one bird plunges headlong 

 to the sea. There is a splash, a silvery 

 gleam, and in a few seconds the bird 

 flaps somewhat heavily up from the water 

 — to poise and plunge again. Like 

 vultures watching each other, the gulls 

 collect from every quarter. Bird after 

 bird rises from the scattered flocks which 

 melt like patches of snow in the noon- 

 day sun — (jnly to re-unite in one whirl- 

 104 8i 



ing snowstorm of birds, hovering, rising 

 and falling over a shoal of fish that has 

 come to the surface. Suddenly from 

 nowhere a dark form appears. guU-hke, 

 yet not a gull, a very hawk among gulls. 

 Choosing his victim from afar, the Great 

 Skua steels his wings and devours the 

 space that di\-ides him from his prey. 

 An ominous swish of wings passing close 

 overhead is the summons to deliver the 

 prize ; then soaring in one sweep the Skua 

 checks his headlong rush and prepares to 

 receive his tribute. In vain his victim 

 gulps down his catch and tries escape — the 

 winged fury is on him. Dodge, double 

 and swer\-e as he will, he cannot shake 

 off his pursuer. Once more the relentless 

 rush, but this time the taloned feet are 

 lowered to strike. One blow is enough ; 



