ON THE OENITHOLOGY OF LAPLAND. 357 



find the nests close together. None breed close 

 to Quickiock, but on the fells about thirty miles to 

 the west they breed in great quantities. No bird 

 is more tame and fearless than this skua during 

 the time they have eggs, for they come sailing 

 close over your head when searching for the nest, 

 performing the most beautiful airy gyrations, their 

 long sharp wings and pointed tail giving them a 

 singular and pretty appearance when in the air. 

 Their cry is a loud dismal shriek — " i-i-i-ah, je-ah, 

 je-oh, je-oh ! " and might be heard day and night 

 over their breeding-place. But as soon as the 

 young were hatched off, their nature seemed to be 

 entirely changed, and then they never approach 

 within gun-shot, but wisely do not betray the 

 proximity of the young (which always manage to 

 hide themselves very cleverly) by any gestures of 

 anxiety. 



Of all the specimens which I opened, in the 

 inside of one alone did I ever see the remains of a 

 fell lemming, and in only one other were there the re- 

 mains of a small mouse. Their principal food appears 

 to be the common crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), 

 a large beetle, and small Crustacea. I never saw 

 anything except crowberries in the inside of the 

 young ones. The Laps have an idea that they will 

 kill and eat the young ptarmigan. I have certainly 

 seen a skua chase an old ptarmigan, but I fancy 



