Ordeb ANSERES.J [Fam. LAKID^E. 



STEECOEAEIUS ANTAECTICUS. 



(SOUTHERN SKUA.) 



Lestris catarractes, Quoy et Gaim. Voy. de l'Uranie, Zool. p. 137 (1824). 

 Lestris antarcticus, Less. Traite d'Orn. p. 616 (1831). 

 Stercorarius antarcticus, Gray, Gen. of B. iii. p. 653 (1845). 

 Cataracta antarctica, Bonap. C. R. xlii. p. 770 (1856). 

 Megalestris antarcticus, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. ii. p. 206 (1857). 



$ ad. supra sordide cinerascenti-brunnea, subtus pallidior, scapularibus et tectricibus alarum paullo cinerascenti- 

 albido variis : pileo colloque longitudinaliter pallide brunneo maculatis, collo postico fiavicanti-brunneo 

 terminato : remigibus et rectricibus obscure nigris, versus basin albicantibus : rostro nigricanti-brunneo : 

 pedibus nigris : iride nigra. 



Adult. General colour dull cinereous brown, darker on the upper parts, but relieved by touches of grey aud 

 light brown, especially on the upper wing-coverts and scapulars ; head and neck largely marked with 

 pale brown ; the feathers of the hind neck lanceolate in form, and with their terminal portion yellowish 

 brown; quills and tail-feathers dusky black, white in their basal portion; in the closed wing the white 

 is apparent on the primaries to the extent of an inch, but in the secondaries and tail-feathers it is con- 

 cealed by the upper coverts. Irides and feet black ; bill blackish brown. Total length 25 inches ; 

 wing, from flexure, 17; tail 7; bill, along the ridge 2 - 25, along the edge of lower mandible 2 - 5; 

 bare tibia 1 ; tarsus 3 ; middle toe and claw 3'1 ; hind toe and claw "5. 



There is a single specimen of this fine Skua in the Otago Museum, from which the above descrip- 

 tion was taken. It was collected by Dr. Hector, who sends me the following note respecting it : 

 — " Female bird shot in Woodhen Cove, on the south side of Breaksea Sound. There was only 

 one pair ; both were shot, but one skin was destroyed. Several others were seen at sea in com- 

 pany with the Albatros." 



