ARCTIC SKUA. 
5 
breeze, sailed up the Uirth as far as Aberlady Bay; several Skuas met with, but only a couple of specimens 
procured, both immature Arctic birds of the year. The plumage exhibited a Avarm broAvn tinge mottled Avith 
black. The legs and feet Avere a dull black marked Avith a pale bluish-Avhite line doAvn the tarsi from beloAV 
the knee, and extending about a quarter doAvn the webs. Several Skuas seen daily along the coast till the end 
of the month. During a terrible gale of Avind from the south-Avest, Avhich continued for several days from 
the 2nd of October, immense numbers of Gulls and Skuas Avere Ausible in the bay. On the 7th and 8th the 
Aveather moderated, and Ave succeeded in getting out to sea ; a feAV miles off the land, from Fidra to lialfAvay 
betAveen the Bass and the Isle of May, Skuas Avere plentiful, folloAving in the Avake of the large flocks of 
KittiAvakes. Immature Arctic Skuas AA'ere noAv arriving in the Firth, the first-comers having been mainly 
composed of adults. 
According to my oAvn observations, Arctic Skuas reach our north-east coast in the autumn, considerably in 
advance of Pomatorhine, and for the most part niov'e soutliAvard at an earlier date. When out in the North Sea 
off Yarmouth, in company with the herring-fleet, throughout the latter part of October and November 1872, and 
again in 1870, Pomatorhine Skuas AA'ere constantly seen, scores or oven hundreds being occasionally fallen in AA-ith 
in the course of a day, though not more than a dozen Arctic Avere recognized during the whole of either season. 
The Arctic Skua, according to my experience, is seldom, if ever, seen in pursuit of sea-foAAds larger than 
Common Gulls, KittiAvakes, or Terns. But fcAV instances Avhere remarked Avhero the former species has been 
molested at sea, the unfortunate KittiAvako being far more heavily taxed in order to contribute to the support 
of these rapacious thieves. While in their summer quarters on the moors they not unfrcquently harass their 
neighbours as well as any feathered stranger approaching their haunts ; under such circumstances their noisy 
attacks are not commenced with a vieAV of procuring food. 
Judging from the various stages of plumage exhibited by this species, it is probable that the perfect adult dress 
is not assumed before the fifth or possibly eA'en the sixth year. Never having kept these Skuas in confinement, 
I do not feel justified in oifering any decided opinion on the subject ; it must, lioAA'eA'er, be alloAA^ed that there is no 
rule as to the colouring of the sexes. The dark and light varieties Avere Avithout difficulty to be traced in many 
specimens I examined during the immature stages, the tints in e\'en the first feathers of the young indicating, 
in some instances at least, their future colour. The distinction betAveen the dark and light varieties in the 
earlier stages of this species is by no means so conspicuous as in the Pomatorhine Skua. In the same 
manner as their larger relatiA’es, numbers of these birds in adult dress are seen during autumn without the 
long tail-feathers. I also remarked this fact in a fcAV specimens exhibiting mature plumage procured in the 
Channel Avhen on their Avay to the north in the spring. I cannot call to mind a single instance of obseiwing 
birds on the moors in the north during the summer without these feathers. 
As to the Avinter dress of the adult Arctic Skua, there is doubtless much to be learned. It is, I consider, 
quite possil)le that specimens met with late in autumn, and considered immature, may be adults undergoing 
the change to Avinter plumage. It Avould be interesting to ascertain the length of time that the light blue 
marking on the tarsi and Avebs is retained ; it Avould then be more easy to form an opinion. 
The majority of the fishing-population Avith Avhom I have conA'ersed appear to recognize no distinction 
betAveen the various species of Skuas frequenting our coasts, the Avhole family being apparently knoAvn by the 
titles mentioned under the lieading of the Pomatorhine. It is possible the birds may occasionally be referred 
to as large or small, but no further difference is recognized. One or tAvo masters of smacks or fishing-luggers 
(old gunners Avho still take an interest in Avildfowl and all feathered strangers) have at times, hoAvever, rendered 
me great assistance l)y stating the fishing-grounds on Avhich birds in some peculiar stage of plumage Avere to 
be found. Acting on their information, I have more than once steamed twenty or thirty miles to some distant 
bank in the North Sea ; and AA’ithin a feAA' miles of their reckoning, the objects of our search Avere invariably 
met Avith. 
