476 



6 



after entering Smith's Sound. It is said to be numerous off the coast of Labrador ; Mr. G. A. 

 Boardman tells me that it is by no means rare off the New-Brunswick coast in winter ; and I find 

 it recorded on the coast of the United States down to New York : but it probably ranges much 

 further south ; for, according to Mr. Howard Saunders (P. Z. S. 1876, p. 330), two specimens 

 were obtained by Solander in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro. On the west coast of North 

 America it is said to be common in the northern portions. Messrs. Dall and Bannister say that 

 Bischoff obtained it at Kadiak, and that it is common on the Yukon as far up as Nulato ; and, 

 according to Mr. H. W. Elliott, it is an infrequent visitor to the Prybilov Islands. Mr. Howard 

 Saunders (I. c.) says that Mr. Gervase Mathew, R.N., saw several Skuas at Callao which he 

 believes were attributable to the present species ; and he also considers that an example obtained 

 by Mr. Buller at Horonkenua, Wellington, New Zealand, is referable to the present species, and 

 not to Buffon's Skua. 



Like the other species of Skuas, the present bird is bold and fearless in its habits, and, to a 

 large extent, subsists on plunder extorted from its less combative neighbours the Terns and 

 smaller Gulls. Exceedingly agile and swift on the wing, it appears to be able to overtake a 

 Tern or Gull with ease, and will follow it with the greatest swiftness as it turns and doubles to 

 evade its pursuer. When hungry it singles out a Tern or Gull that has been peacefully fishing, 

 and resolutely pursues it until the latter, when hard pressed, disgorges its booty, which is caught 

 by the Skua before it reaches the water, and devoured. It then singles out another victim, and 

 thus, pirate-like, forces its weaker neighbours to minister unwillingly to its wants until it is 

 satisfied. Macgillivray, who remarks that it harasses the Tern, the Black-headed Gull, and the 

 Kittiwake, but does not care to attack the Larger or Lesser Black-backed or Herring-Gulls, adds 

 that it " sweeps rapidly along on extended wings, which are considerably curved, like those of 

 the Gulls and Terns, the latter of which it resembles in its mode of flight, although it moves 

 more directly with scarcely perceptible undulations. At times it may be observed flying about 

 at some height in short curves, in the manner of a Hawk. It is then not inspecting the deep 

 below, nor stealing upon its prey, nor pretending to be doing nothing for the purpose of catching 

 the unwary, but, like an idle gentleman, or useless half-pay captain, is merely taking a turn till 

 dinner-time. When approaching a bird at full speed, it flies directly forward, with frequent 

 flaps ; and when in pursuit, it turns, ascends, falls, and glides with the most elegant and easy 

 motions. When its object has been attained, it flies off with a less rapid, but steady flight, to 

 renew its attacks. It can neither dive nor plunge ; but it swims with ease, and sits lightly on the 

 water, like a Gull. The instinct that enables it to select a bird that has something to spare for 

 its wants is truly surprising. I have never seen it give chase to a Gull or Tern without accom- 

 plishing its purpose. One might be induced to think that it watches the birds, and on observing 

 that one has caught a fish attacks it before its food has been well swallowed ; but I have seen it 

 come from a distance into the midst of a flock, and select one which it could not previously have 

 noticed. It seldom fails in catching the fish that has been dropped; but yet this sometimes 

 happens; and on such occasions I have seen it pick it up after it had fallen on the water, 

 although at other times it did not attempt to obtain it, possibly because it had sunk beyond 

 its reach." 



At its breeding-places Richardson's Skua is extremely bold and daring in the defence of its 



