30 THE O. & O. SEMI-ANNUAL, 
The Pomarine Skua or Jaeger is the next in size, and might be 
considered cosmopolitan, being found in Europe, America, Africa and 
Australia. 
In winter it is frequently seen on the English and Scotch coasts ; 
but does not breed in the British Islands. It resorts to Iceland and 
Greenland to nest and rear its young. 
The nest is always on the ground and is similar to that of other 
Skuas. My collection contains a series of eggs from Iceland and 
Greenland. ‘They differ in size, shape and color; some eggs from 
Greenland are like small specimens of the Great Skua; others from 
Iceland are similar in shape and color to those of Richardson’s Jae- 
ger; but are larger in size. While some are very pointed, others are 
quite round like those of the Skua Gull. Average size, 2.45X1.75 in. 
The Richardson’s Skua is the most numerous of the family and 
breeds plentifully in the Scotch Islands, especially in the Orkneys and 
in Shetland ; but does not nest in England. | 
This bird, like the rest of its family, is a robber and lives on putrid 
food and devours the eggs of other Gulls. However, it boldly and 
bravely defends its young from any other bird or animal, and often 
feigns lameness to decoy an intrusive man or dog from its nest. 
The nest is made of heather grass and moss, on some elevated 
spot in marshy ground, sometimes on a hillside, and never contains 
more than two eggs. 
A large series of these eggs before me vary considerably in size. 
They are always very pointed at the smallest end, ard are of a green- 
ish olive-brown, spotted with dark brown and umber. Some eggs 
have a pale olive-green ground. ‘The average size is about 2.20 long 
by 1.60 broad. : 
The last of this family is the Long-tailed Jaeger or Buffon’s Skua. 
It was formerly confounded with the Richardson’s Skua ; but Mr. Far- 
rel pointed out the difference. It does not breed in the British Islands ; 
but retires to the Arctic regions for nesting purposes. It is plentiful 
in Lapland. 
The eggs are not distinguishable from those of the Richardson’s 
Skua in color ; but are usually smaller, averaging in size about 2.00 in. 
long by 1.45 in. broad. 
