202 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
POMATORHINE (on POMARINE) SKUA. 
STERCORARIUS POMATORHINUS, T'emm. 
Pl. XXXV., fig. 5. 
Geogr. distr.—N. Europe, Asia and America, being rare in the 
central and southern parts; in Africa on the western coast as far 
south as Walwich Bay, andin N. Australia. A rare winter visitant in 
Great Britain ; in Scotland more frequent on the eastern than western 
shores. Thousands were seen, in the autumn of 1880, off the York- 
shire coast. 
Food.—Crustacea, fish, and young birds. 
Nest.—A mere depression in the ground. 
Position of nest.—In moss-covered moorland. 
Number of eggs.—2. 
Time of nidification.—VI. 
This bird has been shot on the coasts of Lancashire, 
Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Devon, and Cornwall, and other 
parts of the English shores; it appears to be most rare on 
the eastern coast. According to Mr. Booth (‘ Rough Notes,’ 
Part VIL.), ‘its flight is more steady than that of the Arctic 
Skua, and while on passage it keeps at a greater elevation.” 
Speaking of a pair which he kept in confinement, he says : 
—‘The captives thrived well on herrings, mackerel, or 
sprats, their actions, while feeding, being exceedingly 
singular. If one happened to seize a portion of food too 
large to be swallowed with ease, he would call loudly, when 
his companion at once came rapidly up, and, clutching 
hold of one end of the fish, each would tug lustily till the 
whole was divided, when the parts were consumed by the 
pair in the most amicable manner. This curious per- 
formance was now and then repeated half-a-dozen times 
during the same meal.” 
Mr. Gray observes that ‘this species of Skua does not 
entirely depend upon its piratical exertions for subsistence, 
but contents itself occasionally with a diet of putrid fish or 
small dead animals which it happens to meet with in its 
flights along the shore. It has even been known to devour 
rats and birds.”—(‘ Birds of the West of Scotland,’ p. £95.) 
