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STERCORARTID.E — THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS — STERCOR A RIUS. 333 



is occasionally seen in the interior, on the Great Lakes, and on both of the Atlan- 

 tic shores, and is found far down the southern coast, to Africa on the east, and to 

 I'lorida on the west. 



It is abundant during the winter on the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts, and 

 is the common Gull Hunter of our fishermen. Single examples have been taken on 

 Lake Michigan in midwinter. 



A single example of tliis species was procured by Mr. MacFarlane on the Lower 

 Anderson River, near the Arctic Ocean ; it was shot in June, 18G.'i. It Avas not noted 

 by Mr. Dall as occurring in Alaska, and no specimen was secured ; but Mr. Hannister 

 i'(<fors to a Stercorarius with an apparently even tail, which he frequently observed 

 at St. Michael's. 



Mr. Kumlien states that this bird was observed by him at Bourne Hay, New- 

 foundland, August 16; and he met witli it from that point to latitude 71°. It was 

 al)undant in many localities. He nowhere found it so common as on the southern 

 sliores of Disco Island, where it was breeding on inaccessible cliffs. Tliis bird lives 

 cliiefly by plundering the Kittiwake ; but will also attack other species — even the 

 ijluunis. It is also very destructive of young birds and eggs. 



Specimens of this bird were secured at Fort Simpson by Mr. li. Ross; at Fort 

 Kac by Mr. Clarke ; at Fort Resolution by Mr. McKenzie ; at Big Island by Mr. 

 Koid; and it is said by* Richardson to be a not uncommon species in the Arctic 

 Seas and in the northern outlet of Hudson's Bay, where it subsists on putrid fish 

 and other substances thrown up by tlie sea, and also on the matters disgorged by 

 the Gulls which it pursues. It retires from the north in the winter, and makes its 

 first appearance in Hudson's Bay in Alay, coming in from seaward. Tlie Indians of 

 tlie Hudson's Bay region look upon it as the companion of the Eskimos, and as jiar- 

 taking of all the evil qualities ascribed to that hated race, and therefore hold it in 

 al)linrrence. It is given by Professor Reinhardt as being a resident species in Green- 

 land ; and Mr. Bernard Ross met with it on the Mackenzie. 



Professor Alfred Newton refers to Scoresby as liaving observed two species of Skua 

 in Spitzbergen, but thinks it doubtful whether one of them was this bird or the 

 Imujiraudus. Ross speaks positively as to a single example of this species liaving 

 been seen in Parry's voyage ; this flew past his boats, in latitude 82°. Professor 

 Ncnvton adds that some of his party saw a bird in Sassen Bay which Air. Wagstalfe 

 described as having the form of the tail unmistakably characteristic of the adult 

 of this si>ecies. No specimen has, however, been actually secured at Spitzbergen. 



An immature bird of this species is mentioned by Giraud as having been shot 

 on the south shore of Long Island. Its occurrence on that coast he regarded as 

 exceedingly rare. An example is recorded as liaving been obtained, July 4, 18G9, 

 on the Susquehanna, in Lancaster County, Pa., by Mr. Vincent Barnard; and an a.0 H, 

 bird was secured by Professor Baird, during the summer of 1840, at Hiarrisburg, o.. 

 the same river. Such occurrences, of course, can only be regarded as accidental, and 

 funnot be readily accounted for. 



J. Matthew Jones records (" Am. Nat." IV. 2/53) that, Oct. 4, 1869, a fine example 

 of this species was shot at Digby, N. S. 



Professor Newton states that on his voyage to IVfadeira the steamer in which he 

 was a passenger was followed by a company of jibout thirty birds of this species, 

 wliii'h kept in close attendance while the vessel was Aveather-bound at Torbay ; .and 

 aliont as many more were around each of two other craft detained in like manner. 

 Till' birds were very tame, coming close alongside the quarter-tleck in quest of food ; 

 ami dire was the strife and loud the contention as one lucky bird after another seized 



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