STERCORARIID.E — THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS — STERCORARIUS. 343 



few yards from its fellow. They probably repose at such times, as they never move, 

 except when closely approached. No eggs have ever been obtained by us in the vicin- 

 ity of such resting-places. During the day, also, we have frequently observed two 

 or more birds quietly reposing, or moving very slowly along the ground ; and this, 

 too, where no nest actually existed." 



Examples of this species were also secured at Fort Peel's River by Mr. C. P. Gaudet, 

 and at Fort Yukon by Mr. McDougal. 



Mr. H. W. Elliott reports this species as being seldom seen in the Prybilof Group. 

 The single specimen in his collection is one of the only two he observed while in that 

 locality. When he came upon them — July 29, 1872 — they were apparently feeding 

 upon insects, and upon a small black berry that ripens on the high lands — the fruit 

 of the Empetrum nigrum. 



The eggs of this species are not always distinguishable from those of the para- 

 siticus, although they are smaller than those of that species, on the average ; but 

 exceptionally large specimens of the egg of S. loiujicaudus are sometimes as large as 

 exceptionally small ones of *S'. pavasitims. They range from 2.10 to 1.90 inches 

 in length, and from 1.50 to 1.40 in breadth. 



