BIRDS OF THE OCEAN AND SEASHORE 
283 
turtles, fish, cuttle-fish, and small crustaceans. Breeds in colonies on 
South Trinidad, Seychelle, Aldabra, and Christmas Islands, Paracel 
Reefs (South China Sea), and the Hawaiian and Galapagos Islands. 
nest. A rather bulky structure, composed of sticks, grass, and other 
herbage, placed on the ground or on top of a small bush. 
egg. White, covered with creamy lime. Breeding-season: March to 
J ul Y- 
15. Lesser Frigate-bird Fregata ariel Gray 
ariel— ariel, a fairy; Gk, aerios , airy 
distribution. The seas of north-western, northern, north-eastern, 
and southern Australia; occurs in the tropical oceans generally. 
notes. Also called Man-o’-war Hawk and Sea-hawk. It is similar in 
habits and economy to the Greater Frigate-bird, from which it may be 
distinguished by its smaller size and white flanks. Breeds on Raine 
Island, also on South Trinidad, Bedout, and Aldabra Islands. 
nest. Usually a rather bulky structure, composed of small sticks, 
grass, and other herbage, placed on the ground or on top of a low 
bush. 
eggs. One, occasionally two, white, with a slight coating of lime. 
Breeding-season: April to July. 
16. Dark Soudiern Skua Catharacta lonnbergi Mathews 
Cath-a-ract'-a— from Gk, catarrhact.es or catarractes, bird of prey: lonn¬ 
bergi— E. Lonnberg, Scandinavian scientist. 
distribution. Southern oceans and sub-Antarctic islands, to 
southern Australia and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Dark Skua and Robber Gull. A rare visitor to 
our shores, and then chiefly during the winter months. It is generally 
seen among flocks of Gulls and Terns, which it attacks, forcing them to 
give up any food they may have secured. Among sea-birds it is analo¬ 
gous to the birds of prey; it feeds on small mammals, insects, eggs, 
young birds, fish, carrion, and animal refuse. Breeds on South Georgia, 
the South Orkneys, Kerguelen Island, the South Island of New 
Zealand, and Chatham, Auckland, Campbell, and Macquarie Islands. 
nest. A shallow depression in the ground, slightly lined with grass 
and weeds. 
eggs. Two, glossy dark stone, heavily marked with blotches of 
brown, and a few dark markings round the middle. Breeding-season: 
November to January. 
17. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Linn£ 
Ster-co-rd - ri-us—h ., stercorarius , dungy: par-a-si-tic-us— Gk, parasiticos, 
feeding on another. 
distribution. Ai ctic seas, migrating southwards to South America, 
South Africa, Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 
