Birds of Massachusetts. 235 
winter it comes as far south as Massachusetts. It is 
astrong and daring bird, and though considerably 
less in size than the preceding, readily attacks and 
puts him to flight. If its nest is disturbed, it is 
completely insensible to danger, and gives battle at 
once, not only to all other animals, but even to man. 
Having all the rapacious habits of the gulls, with 
all this strength and courage, it is considered by 
other birds as the pirate of the shores. 
Ricuarpson’s JaaEn, Lestris Richardsonii, visits 
the coast of Massachusetts and Maine, in the winter 
season, when it is seen on the inland bays about 
Boston, flying in pairs, or sitting on the water. Its 
flight is firm and long continued, and it takes advan- 
tage of it to pursue other sea-birds, and force them 
to disgorge their prey. It breeds in the fur coun- 
tries, but, respecting its habits at that season, very 
little is known. Audubon has doubts whether it is 
a distinct species from the one which follows. 
The Arctic Jacer, Lestris parasiticus, inhabits. 
the northern sea shores in summer, and in winter is 
found in Florida. It resembles the preceding in its 
habits of plundering other birds of the fruit of their 
labors. By means of its long tail, it can suddenly 
check its flight or change its direction, so that the 
Victims of its oppression cannot escape its pursuit. 
The Pomarine Jacer, Lestris pomarinus, is a 
bird which Audubon never had the opportunity of 
examining till he went to Labrador, but Dr. Brewer 
