258 
SWIMMERS. 
This species chiefly inhabits the Arctic seas of both conti- 
nents, whence it migrates short distances in winter, and is then 
seen in Sweden and Norway, and perhaps also in the Orkneys 
and the west of Scotland ; the old very rarely visit the banks 
of the Rhine and the coasts of the ocean ; the young are more 
given to wandering, and are sometimes even seen upon the 
lakes of Switzerland and Oermany. According to Richardson, 
the Pomarine Jaeger is seen in the Arctic seas of America and 
about the northern outlets of Hudson Bay. Mr. Audubon ob- 
tained specimens on the coast of Labrador. It subsists on 
putrid and other animal substances thrown up by the sea, and 
also on fish and other matters which the Gulls disgorge when 
pursued by it ; it also devours the eggs of sea-birds. It goes 
more to sea in winter, and also towards the south, arriving at 
Hudson Bay in May, coming in from seaward. It is rare and 
accidental on the coast of the United States. 
This ocean prowler and parasite breeds in the Arctic regions, 
and in winter roams on the open sea, wandering southward as far 
as the latitude of the Middle States. It occurs occasionally m the 
Bay of Fundy, and a few examples have been taken on the Great 
Lakes. 
PARASITIC JAEGER. 
ARCTIC JAEGER. RICHARDSON’S JAEGER. MAN-OF-WAR. 
Stercorarius parasiticus. 
Char. Light phase: Upper parts slaty brown ; top of head grayish 
brown; rest of head and neck white, varied with yellow; under parts 
white. Dark phase : Entire plumage sooty slate. Shafts of primaries 
white ; middle tail-feathers long, narrow, and pointed ; bill slaty gray 
tipped with bl.ack; legs and feet black. Length about 20 inches. 
Young birds of both phases are mottled and more or less varied with 
buff. Adults also are met with in a mixed plumage, and these mottled 
specimens are much more numerous than birds in full plumage. 
Nest. On an open moorland near the sea or the margin of a lake, or 
upon an ocean island, — a mere hollow in the mossy turf, slightly lined 
with grass and leaves. 
Egj>s. 1-3 (usually 2) ; olive green, sometimes deeply tinged with yel- 
low or reddish brown, marked with brown of several shades and lilac ; 
average size about 2.30 X i .60. 
