150 
JAEGERS AND SKUAS 
ing along the surface of the water, as if unable to fly, and then diving 
through the crest of an advancing wave; it swims rather deep and 
very much ‘by the stern.’ . . .” (Saunders). 
“Its wings are small, but they are moved almost as rapidly as a 
Hummingbird’s, and propel the bird through the air with great rapid- 
ity. This bird is an expert diver too, and, though awkward on land, 
swims with ease and grace. . . (Chamberlain). 
1900-02. Figgins, J. D., Abst. Proc. Linn. Soc., 61-63 (use of, for food). 
II. ORDER LONGIPENNES. LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS 
4. Family Stercorarikle. Jaegers and Skuas. (Fig. 23a.) 
Three of the seven known members of this family are birds of Ant- 
arctic seas; the remaining four nest in the northern parts of the North- 
ern Hemisphere, but at other seasons are widely distributed. Except 
when nesting, they are maritime, but at times are found on large bodies 
of water inland. 
The Jaegers are the pirates among birds of the high seas. With 
strong and dashing flight, they successfully pursue Gulls and Terns, 
forcing them to disgorge their prey. They carry their predaceous 
habits to their nesting-grounds on the tundras, where they feed upon 
the young of other birds and even upon mice and lemmings. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
A. Bill over 1*35; tarsus over 1*70; middle tail-feathers never pointed. 
a. Bill over 1*90 35. Skua. 
b. Bill under 1*90 36. Pomarine Jaeger. 
B. Bill under 1*35; tarsus under 1*70; middle tail-feathers generally 
pointed. 
a. Scaly shield on the bill longer than the distance from its end to the tip 
of the bill . . . 37. Parasitic Jaeger. 
b. Scaly shield on the bill shorter than the distance from its end to the tip 
of the bill 38. Long-tailed Jaeger. 
35. Megalestris skua ( Brunn .). Skua. Ads. — Upperparts, tail, and 
wings dark, dirty brown; shafts of the wing and tail-feathers white, except 
at the tip ; outer wing-feathers with inner vanes white at the base ; under- 
parts somewhat lighter; neck more or less streaked with whitish. 7m. — 
“Similar to adult, but more distinctly streaked with yellowish, especially 
on the head and neck.” L., 22*00; W., 15*91; Tar., 2*63; B., 2*06 (Ridgw.). 
Range. — Coasts and islands of the n. Atlantic. Breeds on Lady Franklin 
Island (Hudson Strait), in Iceland, on the Faroe and Shetland islands; 
winters on fishing banks off N. F. and N. S.; casually to L. I., in Europe s. 
to Gibraltar. 
Long Island, one record. 
Nest , of grass, on the ground. Eggs , 2, pale olive-brown or greenish 
gray spotted with chocolate, 2*80 x 1*90. Date, Greenland, May 5. 
36. Stereorarius pomarinus ( Temm .). Pomarine Jaeger. Ads. 
light phase. — Very similar in color to corresponding phase of S. parasiticus , 
