Gavice 235 



The Pomatorhine Skua (S. pomatorhinus) is merely 

 a visitor to our shores from autumn to spring, while 

 it is much more abundant in some years than others, 

 and generally moves further south for the winter. It 

 undoubtedly breeds on the Arctic coasts of Asia, where 

 eggs have been taken in more than one locality, and 

 has been reported to nest in northern Europe, as well 

 as in Greenland and Arctic America. For habits the 

 reader may consult those of the last species. As 

 regards coloration, dark examples are only found 

 exceptionally, whUe the birds have white necks and 

 breasts, with a yeUow tinge on the former, the crown 

 being black and the central tail-feathers curiously 

 twisted to face sideways. 



Buflfon's or the Long-tailed Skua (S. longicaudus) 

 comes to us in much the same fashion as its preceding 

 congener, but it breeds as near Britain as the fell-tops 

 of Norway and Sweden, as well as all round the Polar 

 shores and islands of both worlds. As it is the smallest 

 of our Skuas, the eggs and nest are naturally smaller 

 also, while the former usually have a greenish tinge ; 

 the flight is light and elegant, and the note is said to be 

 more shrill than in Richardson's Skua. The food in the 

 far north may include berries to a small extent, but 

 this habit is not unknown among Skuas generally; 

 still this species seems to be less particular than its 

 larger relatives, as it wiU eat insects, crustaceans, and 

 worms. The blacker head, greyer back, longer tail- 

 feathers, and smaller size distinguish it from the Arctic 

 Skua, whereas the Pomatorhine Skua is not only 

 larger, but has its remarkable twisted tail-feathers to 

 guarantee it. 



