282 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
15. Lesser Frigate-bird Frcgata arid Gray 
ariel —arid, 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 Southern Skua Catharacta lonnbcrgi Mathews 
Cath-a-ract -a —from Gk, catarrhactcs 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 analogous 
to the birds ot prey; it feeds on small mammals, insects, eggs, voung birds 
sh, carrion, and animal refuse. Breeds on South Georgia', the South 
Or meys, Kerguelen Island, the South Island of New Zealand, and Chat¬ 
ham, Auckland, Campbell, and Macquarie Islands. 
and weeds7 A Shal '° W depression in the ground, slightly lined with grass 
hrown^UT’ g ]° S ? y dar , k . stone ’ heavi, y marked with blotches of 
November to January? ’ '” arkings r ° und the middle. Breeding-season: 
17. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Linne 
feedtag ?n"a„otan • S “ rc ° mrius ’ far-a-sl-tic-us- Gk, parasites. 
South A m CaS ’ migratin - southwards to South America, 
south Ahica, Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 
pirate °Parasite S Gid^ I! Rrit? lckard ® ons ^; ua > Long-tailed Jaeger, Sea- 
February ^MarcT ^^^^'depSling about 
dull white and the rpm-,' iead ai J d nec k Straw-yellow, chin and breast 
Commander and AWuS nd ® r . of . the under-parts ash-brown. Breeds on 
Scotland, n*ortheri]^Eur(^e J ^and ^Siberia. m A ' aSka ’ G ™' 
