THE SKUA 
We are said to be hungry robber-birds, 
Taking food from our neighbours with ruthless greed i 
Whether these statements are baseless words, 
Or whether the charge is true indeed, 
We nestlings are far too young to know™ 
At least, to be sure if the slur is fair ; 
But when we are long-winged fliers, and go 
Far seaward, we shall be well aware. 
In the Shetland Islands, far away to the north, 
the Skua has his home. He does not fly away to 
warm Southern countries when the summer is over, 
nor does he know anything about green hedgerows 
and pleasant woodlands. His home is among the 
tall bleak cliffs that face the strong sea winds, and he 
swoops and soars over the great waves fringed with 
foam. 
He Is a pirate, this strong and bold sea-bird. 
He is well called the Highwayman of the Ocean,” 
for he robs other birds of the prey that they catch 
for themselves. When some poor, innocent Gull 
has caught a fish, and is starting for home with the 
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