460 



America; and Dr. Elliott Coues gives (Key N.A. Birds, p. 309) its range as "Northern America, 

 rare or casual : California ;" but Dr. Brewer writes to me that it is " unknown in America west 

 of Greenland." I have not included Larus keeask, Lath. (Ind. Orn. ii. p. 818), as a synonym of 

 the present species, as I have some doubt from the description as to whether it can really be 

 referred to the Great Skua ; but Dr. Coues puts it in his list of synonyms, because, he says, there 

 is no other large Skua in North America to which it can refer. 



The Skua is amongst the Gulls what the true bird of prey is amongst the land birds. Bold 

 and rapacious, it seldom takes the trouble to fish for itself, but dispossesses its weaker and more 

 industrious neighbours of their hard-won spoils. When it observes that a Gull has been 

 successful in catching a fish, it immediately gives chase, and the Gull is compelled to drop 

 the fish, which the Skua will frequently catch before it touches the surface of the water. It 

 not only feeds on fish, but on any carrion that may be cast up on the shore, and on the eggs 

 and young of other sea-birds, and commits great depredations in the breeding-places of many of 

 the Gulls, destroying large numbers of both eggs and young. Hence it is no favourite with the 

 peasants and fishermen who live on the shore. But, on the other hand, it is held in high estima- 

 tion by the farmers and proprietors on whose lands it breeds ; for it is said to defend their flocks 

 from Eagles and other birds of prey. 



At its breeding-stations it is fearless to a degree, and will attack any one who trespasses on 

 its domain with the greatest fury. Ravens or the larger birds of prey are soon driven away; 

 and should a dog accompany any one who visits the breeding-places, the Skuas will swoop 

 down and strike at it with such determination as soon to drive it to its master for protection. 

 Mr. Dunn, who visited the breeding-places of this bird in Shetland in 1831, gives (Orn. Guide 

 to Ork. & Shetl. p. 112) the following information respecting its habits: — "I never saw this 

 bird in Orkney ; and there are only three places in Shetland where it breeds, viz. Foula, Rona's 

 Hill, and the Island of Unst; in the latter place it is by no means numerous, and is strictly 

 preserved by the landlords on whose property it may have settled, from a supposition that 

 it will defend their flocks from the attacks of the Eagle. That it will attack an Eagle if he 

 approaches their nests is a fact I have witnessed. I once saw a pair completely beat off a 

 large Eagle from their breeding-place on Rona's Hill. The flight of the Skua is more rapid and 

 stronger than that of any other Gull. It is a great favourite with the fishermen, frequently 

 accompanying their boats to the fishing-ground or haaf, which they consider a lucky omen ; and 

 in return for its attendance they give it the refuse of the fish which are caught. The Skua Gull 

 does not associate in groups ; and it is seldom that more than a pair are seen together. During 

 the breeding-season it is highly courageous, and will strike furiously at, and will even pursue, 

 any one who may happen to approach its nest." I am also indebted to Mr. A. C. Stark, who 

 visited the breeding-place of the Skuas at Foula in 1873, for the following note: — "In the 

 summer of 1873 eleven pair of the Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes) were breeding on the 

 summit of the highest hill of Foula, Shetland. Although strictly preserved by the proprietor 

 and inhabitants of the island, this colony does not increase in numbers, the young birds being 

 (according to the account of the islanders) invariably driven off by their parents when they are 

 able to provide for themselves. At the time of my visit (June 19, 1873) most of the Skuas had 

 hatched their eggs about a fortnight. On the approach of an intruder the young run from the 



