328 BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN NEW YORK 



tance along the outer wing-feather, it does not give the im- 

 pression of a well-defined tip, as in the Kittiwake. The 

 immature Kittiwake is readily told by the black-tipped tail, 

 and by the broad black edging along the forward portion of 

 the wing. 



JAEGERS : FAMILY STERCORARHDiE 



ilongicaudus. 21.00 

 parasiticus. 17.00 

 pomarinus. 22.00 



Upper parts varying from blackish to brown; lower parts vary- 

 ing from dark brown to whitish ; central pair of tail-feathers 

 often longer than the others (over six inches longer than the 

 others in the adult Long-tailed Jaeger); a conspicuous whitish 

 band across the under sides of the wings near the tip. 



The Jaeger, or Jiddy Hawk, as the fishermen call it, is a 

 spring and autumn migrant off the coast of New York and 

 New England, occurring most commonly in August, Sep- 

 tember, and October. It is noted for its habit of pursuing 

 terns and the smaller gulls till they drop the food which 

 they have obtained ; the Jaeger then seizes and devours it. 

 Mr. Job (" Among the Water-Powl," p. 117) says that the 

 victim often disgorges half -digested food ; I have seen only 

 the freshly-caught fish dropped from the bill. To see Jae- 

 gers, one should watch the terns as they migrate along the 

 coast in late summer ; or, better still, sail with ^ome fish- 

 erman to the fishing-ground off Chatham or Cape Sable. 

 The chase is an interesting spectacle ; the dark, hawk-like 

 form of the Jaeger appears suddenly, and in an instant the 

 two are off, twisting and turning, always close together ; 

 one can often see the Jaeger's claws struck forward. 



Jaegers appear in almost every possible plumage, but 

 will be at once recognized by their dark upper parts and 

 hawk-like flight ; they are always darker above than the 

 bird that they pursue. The commonest species off our coast^ 



