THE SKUA GULL CLACK-HEADED GULL. 



407 



THE SKUA GULL. 



The Skua Gull inhabits Norway, the Feroe Islands, and other parts 

 of the north of Europe. It is the most formidable bird of its tribe ; its 

 prey being not only fish, but (what is wonderful in a web-footed bird) 

 all the lesser sorts of water- fowl, and (according to the account of Mr. 

 Schroter, a surgeon of the Feroe Isles) Ducks, Poultry, and even young 

 Lambs. 



Dogs, Foxes, and other animals arc instantly attacked and so severely 

 dealt with by the wings and beak of the Skua, as to be driven to a 

 hasty retreat, and no bird is permitted to approach with impunity ; other 

 Gulls are however exposed to the attacks of these robbers, probably 

 because, being the most diligent pursuers of fish, they are sure to find 

 from their exertions a never failing supply. The nest consists of dried 

 weeds. There are two eggs of a dark olive-green blotched with brown. 



In defending its offspring it has the fierceness of the Eagle. When 

 the inhabitants of the Feroe Islands visit the nest of the Skua Gull, the 

 parent birds attack them with such force, that, if they hold a knife 

 perpendicularly over their heads, the Gulls will sometimes transfix 

 themselves in their fall on the plunderers. 



In Foula, the Skua Gulls are 

 privileged ; being said to defend 

 the flocks from the attacks of the 

 Eagle, which they beat off and 

 pursue with great fury ; so that 

 even that rapacious bird seldom 

 ventures to approach the places 

 which they inhabit. The natives 

 of Foula on this account impose 

 a fine upon any person who de- 

 stroys one of these useful defend- 

 ers : and deny that they ever in- 

 jure their flocks or poultry ; but 

 imagine them to live only on the 

 dung of the Arctic Gull and 

 other larger birds. 



BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



This species, very common in 

 most parts of America, is also 

 frequent in Europe, particularly 

 in the warmer parts, as the coasts 

 of Sicily, Spain, and the islands 

 of the Mediterranean ; elsewhere 

 in that continent it is rare. In 

 America it is found as far south 

 as Cayenne and Mexico, but does 

 not appear to inhabit far north of 

 the limits of the Union. Ou the 



AKCT1C GULLS IN KJ&SU1T. 



