i8 
The Scottish Naturalist. 
Both old and young were frequently seen during the first fort- 
night of August. In Kingussie they were flying among the 
houses. Eggs taken near Boat of Garten were shown to me. 
90. Podiceps minor (Little Grebe). 
Three old and four young birds were seen several times on 
Drmianlochan, where three old nests were floating among 
the Lobelia Dortmanna and other water plants. I also saw a 
Little Grebe on Loch Pithulais. 
THE GREAT SKUA (Stercorarius catarrhactes); ITS 
PRESENT STATUS AS A BRITISH BIRD. 
By Hakold Raeburn. 
IN the case of a species like the Great Skua, possessing but 
three breeding-stations within the British Isles, and existing 
in limited numbers even at those few spots, it is a matter of com- 
parative ease to ascertain the total number that yet remain to us. 
Unfortunately it is also only too easy to exterminate a bird so 
utterly fearless of danger as is the skua in the breeding season, 
and which deposits its eggs in places so easy of access, that even 
the old women of Foula are able to take part in the plunder of 
its nest. This year — 1890 — the persecution which the great skua 
has been subjected to has been worse than any previous year ; 
and an extremely unpleasant feature — a new one — is the fact that 
men caUing themselves naturalists — I am glad to say there are no 
Scotsmen among them — have visited the Shetlands and, not con- 
tent with taking the eggs, have shot the old birds as well, in utter 
contempt of the provisions of The Wild Birds' Protection Act." 
I do not alone refer to the proceedings of Mr. Barrington and his 
party (c/. "Zoologist," Sept., Oct., Nov., 1890), for I have the names 
of several others who also destroyed great skuas on their breeding 
grounds this year. If this sort of thing is going to be repeated, 
then, I think, it will be the duty of Scottish naturalists to take the 
matter up and put a stop to it by prosecuting the offenders ; a 
conviction would be easily obtained at the Lerwick Court. 
