2 
LONG-TAILED SKUA. 
surface, then rising again, repeated the performance after a short interval. It was evident that the Kittiwakes 
did not appreciate their society, making rapidly off when approached, though no attack was offered; at 
length some ten or a dozen Terns flapped quietly down the firth, when, with a sharp and piercing cry, the 
pirates were off in pursuit ; I failed, however, to ascertain the result, owing to the countless nurnhers of 
sea-fowl sweeping around. The two Skuas were shortly after seen again near the rock hunting over the same 
course, being eventually lost sight of while working along the coast towards the east. 
After continued rough weather for several days in November 1870, I received word that a small party 
of Skuas were sheltering on the water below the IVest Pier at Brighton; on reaching the spot and putting 
off in a boat, I discovered that the majority had already taken their departure, but one bird (which proved 
exceedingly unsuspicious of danger) remaining. Its plumage having been carefully examined through the 
glasses, the specimen was procured without the slightest difficulty, the bird being evidently rendered almost 
helpless by the proti’acted gales. It is by no means an uncommon occurrence for Skuas to resort to the smooth 
water in the vicinity of the pier during storms in autumn ; as many as ten or a dozen may occasionally be 
seen, at times much distressed by the severity of the Aveather, hut rapidly pulling round as the wind drops. 
On the 17th of May, 1872 (a strong breeze from the north-east with squalls of rain), I noticed early in 
the morning a pair of immature birds, in very dark plumage, flying round the boats brought up off the 
fish-market at Brighton ; the pair appeared perfectly fearless, hut succeeded in keeping out of range. 
Towards evening the birds (or a similar pair) were met Avith a short distance at sea off Shoreham and again 
escaped. I remarked that these Skuas hovered OA'er the refuse floating along the shore and round the fishing- 
craft moored off the town, evidently searching for food themselves, no attention being paid to the moA^ements of 
several Common Gulls engaged in a similar manner. 
A young bird of the year Avas shot near the Bass Bock on the 9th of September, 1871. This specimen 
was in company with forty or fifty adult Arctic Skuas ; the whole party flapping close past the boat, ample 
opportunities w'ere afforded for examining them satisfactorily. Though a sharp look-out was kept during 
the succeeding Aveek, not another bird of this species Avas recognized either in the firth or for several miles at 
sea. I am inclined to believe, from the numbers of specimens brought in by fishermen from the distant banks 
in the North Sea, that the usual course of this species, while on their Avay south at the time of the autumnal 
migration, lies considerably to the east of the British Islands. 
But little change appears to he exhibited by young birds in the spring of their second year. In May 
1875, while at sea in the Channel a few miles off Shoreham, a pair in immature plumage hovered for some 
time round the boat ; and both, I Avas perfectly convinced, corresponded precisely with young obtained in 
their first autumn. These interesting juAcniles proved exceedingly tame; on throwing out small portions 
of fish-liver, they dipped down to the surface of the water and seized the pieces within the distance of three 
or four yards. The slate-blue markings on their feet and legs being clearly seen and noted down Avhile they 
swept round the boat, rendered it unnecessary to obtain a single specimen. So confiding did they eventually 
become after remaining for an hour or tAA^o in our company, that on offering a supply of fish-liver on the 
blade of an oar, both birds paddled up and seizing the pieces one by one, SAvalloAved them Avithout exhibiting 
the slightest signs of alarm. 
The autumn gales of 1879 forced thousands of Skuas out of their usual course, immense numbers being 
blown ashore in a disabled condition along the east coast. Several of this species Avere procured by the 
fishermen and shore-shooters, in both adult and immature plumage ; tAVO specimens, hoAvever, were all that 
came under my observation. During the last AAcek in October I noticed a young bird of the year passing 
along the shore near the harbour-mouth at Yarmouth, and a fcAV days later another of the same age Avas met 
with at sea a short distance off Caister. This poor traA^eller Avas so worn out by the protracted hufletings 
of the late storms that I Avas in hopes of effecting a capture in oi’dcr to rear it in confinement and note 
