90 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
THE SKUA GULLS AND THEIR RECENT MIGRATION. 
By Howarp Saunpers, F.L.S., F.Z.5.* 
THE attention of ornithologists has lately been drawn to an 
unusually abundant autumnal migration of several species of 
Skuas, and numerous captures have from time to time been 
recorded in these pages and in ‘ The Field.’ Inquiries have also 
been made, and discussion excited, respecting the different 
plumages of the various species; and, in a recent number of 
‘The Field,’ an appeal has been made to some specialist who has 
handled more than an average number of specimens to pronounce 
ou the distinguishing characteristics of the Pomatorhine and the 
Richardson’s Skuas. It is easier to do this than to point out 
distinctions which no one can possibly mistake in any stage 
between the Richardson’s Skua and Buffon’s Skua; but, as I 
have long made the Gulls and Terns my special study, I may 
perhaps be able to give some hints upon these and other points. 
It should, however, be remembered that I by no means imagine 
that I know all about the subject, and it is mainly in the hope 
of receiving information from those whose opportunities for 
observation have been superior to my own that this sketch is 
written. 
The most interesting point about the recent migration of the 
Pomatorhine Skuas was the statement made by Mr. T. A. Nelson, 
of Redcar, that he obtained amongst others “two birds entirely 
black, the tail-feathers about three inches long, legs black, and 
bills exactly similar to the old birds.” This melanism was well 
known as occurring freely in the case of Richardson’s Skua, and 
might therefore be expected in its congener; but I had never had 
the good fortune to examine a black Pomatorhine until within 
the last few days, when I inspected one in Mr. EK. Booth’s 
magnificent collection of British birds at Brighton. In this fine 
specimen the central tail-feathers are about as well developed as 
in any other adult, the feet and legs are both black, and the 
plumage is of a deep sooty colour—as complete a melanism, and 
as fine an adult, as one could hope to see. With regard to Mr. 
M. Browne’s inquiry as to the invariable distinctions between 
this species and Richardson’s Skua, my friend Mr. Rk. Warren 
* Reprinted from ‘ The Field,’ of January 17th, 1880. 
