526 On the Nesting of the Pomatorhine Skua. 
XXXI.— Notes on the Nesting of the Pomatorhine Skua. 
By C. Boyce Hill. 
(Plate XI.) 
In his notes on the Birds observed on the Yenisei river (Ibis, 
1897, p. 107), Mr. H. L. Popham has briefly mentioned that 
we found three nests of the Pomatorhine Skua ; but inasmuch 
as comparatively little is known respecting the breeding of 
this species, and as, I believe, we are the only Englishmen who 
have handled the eggs in situ, there may, perhaps, be some 
excuse for further remarks to accompany the illustration 
(Plate XI.). 
On our way down the Yenisei, the steamer which was 
towing us fortunately ran ashore on one of the numerous 
sandbanks which abound in this river. I say fortunately, 
because it enabled us to discover this Skua nesting. After 
having enquired the probable duration of our stoppage, 
Popham and I agreed to explore the small islands near at 
hand—a group named the Brekotsky. We took one each, 
and on miue, a large flat marsh, I observed a Pomatorhine 
Skua, which was presently joined by another. The birds 
did not appear at all demonstrative nor to resent intrusion, 
like the Long-tailed Skuas, so 1 thought they could not be 
nesting. But after much searching and watching, I observed 
one settle right in the centre of the marsh, so at once pro¬ 
ceeded to the spot ; the bird rose when I was within a few 
yards of it, and to my delight I saw the nest with two eggs. 
I waited a few moments for the Skua to come within shot, and 
killed it; after pursuing its mate, I captured that also. 
The nest was a mere depression in the ground, on a spot 
rather drier than the surrounding marsh, and to reach it I was 
at times up to my knees in swamp, so that, had it not been for 
a foundation of ice at a depth of from 18 inches to 2 feet from 
the surface, 1 do not think I should have been able to record 
this event. I also found nesting on this island some Scaup 
Ducks and Red-necked Phalaropes. In the evening Popham 
and I together visited another part of the island, and were 
rewarded by discovering, under similar conditions, another 
nest of the Pomatorhine Skua containing two eggs; and there 
also the only other birds we observed nesting were Scaups 
