THE SKUA 
and try to hide in a most comical manner should any 
stranger draw near. 
While they have babies at home the Skuas 
are most dangerous to meddle with. They will not 
hesitate to attack a fox or a dog with their sharp 
beaks, and will quickly send off these enemies. They 
will even dash at a man with much violence, when 
they see him anywhere near their nesting-places. 
They will knock off his hat with their feet, and he 
is generally obliged to hold a stick over his head to 
protect himself. It is said that a Skua will impale 
himself on a knife if it is held up in this manner. 
When they are attacking they have the cry 
that gives them their name, scoo — aah ! scoo — 
aah ! ” To their young they say “guck — guck,” 
and they call to one another, ‘‘ ag — ag — ag.” 
A Skua was taken prisoner in Sussex, many 
years ago. He is said to have eaten no less than 
twenty-five sparrows in a day, and once when he 
escaped he attacked a harmless Duck, and held her 
by the beak until he was recaptured. This poor 
Skua only lived a fortnight in captivity, and indeed, 
for Sea-birds, death is a hundred times better than 
imprisonment. Even a tame Sea Gull is a sorry sight. 
66 
