690 POMATORHINE SKUA. 
the Feeroes on both migrations ; it occurs on the inland waters of 
Europe down to the Mediterranean, and along the west coast of 
Africa to Walvisch Bay; and it has been obtained in Japan, Burma, 
North Australia, California and Peru. 
The 2 eggs, deposited in a mere depression of the moss, are 
of an olive-brown with darker blotches, Mr. Popham’s specimens 
measuring about 2°6 by 1°8 in. Like other Skuas this species 
plunders the Terns and Gulls; devouring ‘krang’ or any animal 
matter cast up by the sea, and preying freely on lemmings. 
The adult has the front and crown of the head sooty-black ; neck 
white, with straw-yellow acuminate feathers; upper parts chiefly 
umber-brown, the two central tail-feathers projecting 4 in. and being 
twisted vertically ; breast dull white ; flanks, abdomen and under 
wing-coverts brown ; bill horn-brown ; tarsi and toes reddish-black. 
Length 21 in., wing 14°25 in. The yellow on the neck is sometimes 
assumed before the central tail-feathers are fully developed; and 
the flanks and tail-coverts are striated, except in mature birds in 
autumn. Younger examples have a brown pectoral band, more or 
less striated under-parts, barred tail-coverts, and central tail-feathers 
little elongated. The bird of the year (represented below) is brown, 
mottled and barred with dull rufous. Melanotic varieties are not 
uncommon in immature birds. 
