462 



I possess eggs of the common Skua from the Fseroes, obtained there by Mr. H. C. Miiller. 

 These eggs are dull olive or olive-brown in colour, blotched with dark brown, some being 

 greener and others browner ; and in size those in my collection vary from 2f by Iff inch to 

 2fo D y 2 inches. 



I have not had an opportunity of comparing a series of Stercorarius antarcticus with the 

 present species ; but Dr. E. Coues, who has done so, states that the difference in the bill, though 

 slight, is constant. This I can well believe, as there is so great a gap between the range of these 

 two Skuas. I may add that Mr. E. L. Layard sent me eggs as those of Stercorarius antarcticus 

 which differ greatly from all eggs of the common Skua I have seen. 



The specimens figured are a bird from the Faeroes in the ordinary immature stage of 

 plumage in the background to the left, and a dark variety from the Yarmouth coast, in the 

 collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., in the foreground to the right. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E, Dresser. 



a, <$ , b, 2 ad. Fseroes (A. Benzori). c, juv. Yorkshire coast, purchased in Leadenhall Market, October 

 (H.E.D.). 



E Mus. J. H. Gurney, jun. 



a. Yarmouth, purchased in Leadenhall Market, October 1869 {J. Gatcombe) . b,2 • Yarmouth. c, J . 

 Dogger Bank, October 16th, 1868. 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 



a, 2 ■ Fseroes, May 24th. b, 6 . Faeroes, June 25th. c, ? . Feeroes, June 8th. d, puttus. Faeroes, July 8th 

 {H. C. Miiller). 



