POArATOlllIIXE SKUA. 
During a terrific gale of wind from the south on the 2ith of October, 1882, a small party of Skuas of this 
species were blown inland at Shoreham and settled for a time on a stubble-field ; though I did not succeed in 
obtaining a close view, it was obvious that the whole were in immature plumage. It is seldom I have met 
with the Pomatorhine Skua at any distance from salt water ; a couple of immature birds, however, were 
observed tearing at the repulsive scraps of decaying meat on a heap of town-refuse carted out from 
North Berwick to one of the neighbouring farms in the autumn of 18G3. These youngsters were 
busily engaged in company wdth some juvenile Uerring- and Lesser Black-backed Gulls ; the whole 
party appeared most amicable, not the slightest attempt at robbery being attempted while I watched their 
proceedings. 
I am of opinion that Pomatorhine Skuas attain the age of five years before the perfect adult plumage 
is assumed. Judging from observations on the various stages through which the birds I kept in confinement 
passed, it appears evident that these Skuas are seldom seen off our coasts while exhibiting the plumage of 
the second or third years. But a single specimen in the dress of the third year has come under my notice, 
this rarity having been procured by the master of a Yarmouth fishing-lugger during the autumn of 1872. 
Meeting the skipper on the quay shortly after landing, I learned he had one or two strange birds, killed during 
his last vovajje, that he would like me to examine. I was well aware he had been afloat for at least a fortnight, 
and consequently imagined they might be getting unpleasant ; being assured, however, that they were as fresh 
as when first shot, it was settled he should bring them down for inspection in the evening. The specimens, 
which proved to be an immature Gannet, a Pomatorhine Skua, and a bird whose identity I could not 
satisfactorily determine, stunk in such a horrible manner that I was forced to request him to take them away 
and allow me to see them by daylight, when an opportunity might be obtained to examine the stranger more 
closely out of doors. On arriving at the man’s house on the following morning, I discovered that during 
his absence from home they had been sold by his wife for sixpence to a musician, as an old and two young 
Ilarnsers *, and w'ere at that moment being cooked for the Sunday’s repast, much to the disgust of his 
neighbours in the row, who were almost poisoned by the stink. That the unknown bird was a Skua there was 
little doubt, though the age, and even the species, I was unable to decide at the time. Since keeping these 
Skuas in confinement and noting their changes, I have no doubt that the bird was a light-coloured specimen 
of the Pomatorhine in the third year’s plumage. As far as I have been able to ascertain, this stage has 
neither been figured nor described. 
The distinction between the dark and light forms of this Skua is apparent in the earliest stages ; I 
noticed a great difference in the shades exhibited by several specimens obtained in the first plumage on 
the 9th of November, 1879. Though birds showing wdiite breasts when adult are by far the most numerous, 
it is easy to trace the two forms in every stage of plumage through which they pass. 
In November 1879 I procured at Yarmouth four Pomatorhine Skuas alive (three immature 
and one adult), all being captured at sea Avhen reduced to the last extremity by the protracted 
bufifetings of the gales. Tlie mature bird only survived confinement till the following April ; I was, 
however, enabled to ascertain that the adults of this species undergo a change in winter, even after 
the full plumage has been assumed. This specimen was perfectly black, the plumage being darker 
and more glossy than on the black form of the adult figured on Plate III. Bound both sides of 
the neck several feathers edged with a yellow or gold tint showed up most conspicuously; similar 
markings were also noticed on two or three other black Skuas which I examined when fresh caught, 
having been picked up in the North Sea by the crews of the fishing-luggers. At the time of its death the 
black adult was entirely altered in appearance ; the throat, breast, and underparts Avere almost 
white, and light grey feathers Avere shoAving thickly round the neck ; the back exhibited also a few fresh 
* Norfolk name for the Heron. 
