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closed posteriorly by the cere : tongue canaliculated, acute, 
slightly bifid at tip. Head large ; eyes large : neck rather 
stout: body rather plump. Feet slender; naked space of 
the tibia moderate ; tarsus equal to the middle toe, scaly 
behind; webs full, entire; lateral toes edged exteriorly with 
a narrow membrane ; middle toe longest ; inner shorter than 
the outer ; hind toe very small, placed almost on a level with 
the anterior, resting on the ground : nails strong, much in- 
curved, very acute. Wings moderate, acute ; quills strong ; 
first primary longest. Tail slightly rounded, of twelve 
feathers, two middle feathers elongated. 
Female similar to the male. Young differing from the 
adult, and changing repeatedly. Moult twice in the year 
without changing their colors. Colors dark brown, with 
some white or light tints on the neck and beneath. Young 
more spotted, and with the middle tail feathers hardly longer. 
Adult eminently distinguished by having these feathers much 
the longest. 
Bold : fierce : indefatigable. Tyrants of the sea. Soli- 
tary, seldom several in one neighbourhood. Extremely 
voracious : feed on fishes, which are caught by other birds. 
Great enemies to the Terns, Gulls, and even the gigantic 
Albatros, on which they prey ; attacking them on the wing, 
and beating them until they drop their prey, or even forcing 
them to disgorge their food, which they seize in the air with 
great agility before it reaches the water, the Gulls only escape 
by settling in the sea. Never diving, only procure themselves 
floating objects ; feed also on mollusca, eggs, and young 
water birds. Breed socially in Arctic marshes, on rocks, or 
among sands : build in tufts with grass : eggs one or two : 
courageous in behalf of their young ; attacking man himself 
in their defence. Walk erect. Flight peculiar, irregular, 
rapid, describing short curves, and occasionally tumbling 
over. 
Inhabit the Arctic seas all around the globe, migrating but 
