THE POMARINE SKUA. 393 



were shot in 1837 ; one on the coast of Dublin, on the 6th of Oc- 

 tober, and the other on the 21st of December, in Dublin Bay.* In 

 1837, also (but no month named), one is stated to have been ob- 

 tained at Portrush, near the Giant's Causeway, by tlie collectors 

 for the Ordnance Survey. An immature bird, purchased in 

 Dublin market, on the 10th of December, 1846 (after having 

 been long kept), has come under my notice.f On the 16th of 

 October, 1848, a stormy day, one was shot when flying inland 

 from the sea, on the borders of Belfast Bay, whence it was driven, 

 after being well beaten, by a black-backed gull. It was brought 

 to me immediately after being shot, when the following description 

 was drawn up : — 



Length (total) ......... 



„ of wing from carpus ...... 



,, of bill from forehead to point, measured with com- 

 passes (not following cm-ve) .... 



„ of bQl from rictns to point ..... 



„ of tarsus ........ 



„ of middle toe, exclusive of nail .... 



„ of its nail, measured in a straight line with compasses 

 from base to point ...... 



Two longest tail-feathers exceed the others bai-ely 



This is a young bird of the year according to Jenyns's description, p. 282, to which 

 I have only to add that the three toes, their connecting membrane, and the nails, are 

 wholly dusky black on the tipper surface, except a very minute portion at the base of 

 the middle and inner toes, which is blue like the tarsi. The under side of the toes 

 and membrane is likewise dusky black, except a very small portion towards the 

 base, which is bluish flesh-colour ; nail of hind toe flesh-coloured. Irides bluish 

 black. It proved to be a male on dissection. Its stomach contained the vesicle of a 

 Fucus, and other little fragments of vegetable matter. J This bird is much darker in 

 colom' than that described by Jenyns, and, in comparison with a stuffed specimen iu 

 the Belfast Museum, the difference is such as to require being remarked upon. 



" The head, neck, and upper parts," in the stuffed specimen, arc of a cinereous 



* They were iu the possession of Dr. Parkinson and ]Mr. Warren. 



A pomaiine skua — young bird of the year — found dead this wiutcr on the beach 

 at Ballantrae, Ayrshire (as noted in ' Chai'ksworth's Magazine of A'atural History,' 

 vol. iii. p. 585), came under my inspection. 



t In Mr. VVattei's' collection. 



% The stomach of one of Mr. Bull's specimens contained a large quautily of the 

 biid's own feathers. 



in. 



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