ARCTIC SKUA. 
STERCOIURIUS PARASITICUS. 
Tms species, also known as Ricliardson’s Skua and Black-toed Gull, is a summer visitor to many parts of 
the north of Scotland and the adjacent islands. During spring and autumn these birds have come under 
my observation on several occasions a few miles at sea in the English Channel, as well as at times in great 
numbers off the south-east coast of Scotland and also in the North Sea. 
Of late years there has been a considerable falling oflP in the numbers of these Skuas resorting to many of 
the localities formerly frequented in the Highlands. In some parts the birds, if not totally exterminated 
by keepers, have been greatly thinned down ; while in others so constantly have their nests and young 
been pillaged by collectors and dealers, that it is a wonder any survivors remain. 
This species passes north towards its breeding-quarters probably in April. In 1875 I was out 
frequently in the Channel from G to 12 miles off the Sussex coast, and on several occasions between the 11th and 
23rd fell in with siugle birds as well as small parties; they were especially numerous on April 21st and 22nd, 
wind on both days light from the east. A few obtained as specimens were in full breeding-plumage with long 
tails; others, apparently in the same stage, were minus the long tail-feathers; not a single bird was seen in the 
immature stage. 
By the end of the first or second week in May I have met with these birds on the moors in Caithness. In 
many instances in this locality I remarked that their favourite resorts appeared to be either on or in the neigh- 
bourhood of the "floes” *. On one of these spots, which extended nearly two miles in length by almost the 
same in breadth, hundreds of Lesser Black-backed Gulls ivere nesting. Though a few Skuas had reached 
this part by the middle of May, and evidently taken up their quarters, I could find no signs that nesting had 
as yet commenced. The birds were usually at no great distance, and, after wandering for a time among the 
pools on the floe, they were sure to be detected making straight for the intruders on their domain. After 
sweeping round for a few minutes, and giving vent to their anger in harsh screams and snaps, they would, as a 
rule, gradually draw off ; their attack was by no means so decided and vindictive as when they had thoroughly 
entered upon their breeding-operations. The earliest date on ivliich eggs were noticed in this locality 
was on May 31st, the nest being placed on the open moor a short distance from the floe. The pair of birds 
in this instance were remarkably shy, the female being especially careful, and seldom venturing within eighty 
or one hundred yards ; as they, however, resolutely refused to quit that part of the moor, it was evident their 
treasures were concealed near at hand. The nest, which was merely a slight depression in the moss, 
with a few strands of dried grass l)y way of a lining, was not discovered till we retired some distance ; and 
having posted a couple of keepers four or five hundred yards apart, I took another station myself which 
* The “ floes ” are large boggy tracts of moor, full of small pools of deep black peaty water. The larger pools usually contain diminutive islets ; 
and the bottom being too soft to admit of wading, they are safe spots for birds to nest on. The india-rubber boat was most serviceable in this 
locality. 
