3ao 



LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



• 



tarsus, 2.70-3.20 (2.9(i) ; inidille top, 2.r)r)-2.80 (2.(i7). Tlie diffeivncos pointed out by Mr. Saun- 

 durs, in liis paper on tlie " Stereorariinai " (!'. Z. S. 1«7(), pp. 321, 322), are perfectly constant in 

 tiie series we have examined. 



This is another species that has had, until quite rcoentlj', very doubtful claims to 

 a place in the fauna of North Anierira ; since the only ground for such a claim was 

 its occurrence at Greenland, upon the coast of ■'vhich it is said by Professor Rein- 

 hardt to be an occasional visitant. Mr. Uernard Itoss, however, believes that he met 

 with it on the Mackenzie Kiver. 



On the coast of California, as Dr. Cooper informs me, it certainly occurs very 

 rarely — if at all — as "i-.> has never seen it, nor met with it in local collections; nor 

 does he know of its having been identified on that coast by any one. 



Mr. Kumlieu procured a single specimen of this species at sea, lat. 41° N., GG° 

 W. ; and others were seen at the time. It is of frerpient occurrence on the George's 

 and other banks in the winter. He met '.vith it near Lady Franklin Island, nortli of 

 Hudson Strait, in September. Tlie birds then were with their young on the rocks. 



A single sjiecimen was procured off the coast of Massachusetts in the summer of 

 1878. It was taken alive by Captain Daniel Carroll, of Gloucester, on George's liank, 

 early in July, with the aid of a fish-hook, and was kept by him on his fishing-schooner 

 a number of days. As it refused food it was thrown overboard ; but fortunately 

 was found and preserved by I'rofessor I5aird, and is now in the National ^Museum ;it 

 Washington. It is mentioned by Mr. G. 11. (iray as having a habitat at Campbell 

 Island, Norfolk Islaiul, and Macaulay Island. 



Mr. C. A. Wright (•• Ibis," 18(54) records the capture of a single specimen of this 

 species on the 9th of June, 18(50, at Salini, on the north coast of Malta. 



JFr. A. G. ^fore ("Ibis," 18G5) states that the Great Skua only breeds, within the 

 limits of Great Britain, in the Shetland Islands, where its nesting lias long been 

 known. There the birds extend to the Island of Uist, a little beyond lat. 01° X. 

 It is said by ^h: Wheelwright to be rare in the south of Scandinavia — never being 

 seen in the Baltic or in the Sound — but more common on the west coast of Norway.' 



This bird is said to be common off the coast of Spain in the winter, outside of the 

 Straits of Gibraltar. 



Professor Alfred Newton speaks of it as abundant off the coast of Iceland, ami 

 occasionally breeding some distance inland. According to Faber it is resident there 

 all the year; he names four places in the southern iiart of that island where he lias 

 known it to breed. Dr. Kriiper saw it in the north of Iceland in the summer tiiiin, 

 so that it probably breeds there also. It is known to inhabit the Fariie Islands. 



Ii the Island of Uist it is strictly preserved by the proprietors, the belief being 

 general that this bird Avill defend the flocks from the attacks of the Golden Eagle 

 It is known to attack and drive off an Eagle if the latter approaches the nest of tlic 

 Skua, jSIr. Dunn having been eyewitness to an occurrence of this kind at llona's Hill. 

 It is also a great favorite with the fishermen, who consider its accompanying tlit ir 

 boats to the fishing-grounds as being a favorable omen, and in return give it the 

 refuse of the fish they catch. This bird does not associate in flocks, and two or more 

 pairs are rarely seen together. 



In the autumn and winter this Skua visits the coasts of Ireland, England, Franci'. 

 Holland, and (iermany. It is noted for its coiirnge and daring, and for the predahn y 

 attacks with which it harasses the Gulls, and compels them to disgorge the fi^li 



' Acroinlin;; to later authorities, this specii's is of rare ami ratlirr sjiorailic ofcurroni'a along tlje 

 Norwegian coast. 



