Arctic Skua.
Larus parasiticus, Linn. Syst. Nat., ed. 12, tom. i. p. 226.
Cattaractes parasita, Pall. Zoogr. Ross.-Asiat., tom. ii. p. 310.
Lestris parumtktts, IU. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et Av., p. 273.
Stercorarim parasiticus, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. iii. p. 653, Stercorarius, sp. 1.
Lestris S:\rJuinlsonii, Swains. Faun. Bor.-Amer., vol. ii. p. 433.
Stercorarius richardsonii, Coues, Proc. Acad. Sei. Philad. 1863, pp. 121, 135.
Lestris Ihuliaca, Preyer, Reise nach Island, p. 418.
Richardson's Skua of British Ornithologists.
No species o f the genus is subject to greater changes o f plumage than the present bird, and none exhibits
a greater diversity in its colouring. The uniformly-coloured .figure in the ‘ Fauna Boreali-Americana’
represents the bird in a somewhat abnormal dress ; for, although dark varieties occasionally occur among
the specimens shot in the British Islands, few are so uniform in their colouring. Swainson, not being
aware of the variations to which the bird is subject, regarded tbe specimens under his notice as pertaining
to a distinct species, and under this impression named them Lestris Richardsonii, in honour o f Dr.
Richardson ; bat, as we now know he was in error in so doing, we are compelled by the law o f priority to
deprive the bird o f the honour o f bearing tbe name of that distinguished traveller and scientific naturalist.
Although the seas o f the northern hemisphere are inhabited by every species o f this form, I have but
little doubt o f tbe present bird being the one most generally distributed, the regions of tbe Arctic circle
in both the Old and the New World being tenanted by it. From these parts o f the northern hemisphere
its range extends over Europe and America, the British islands being perhaps tbe most southern country in
which it breeds. It is abundant in Baffin’s Bay, Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, and a few years ago
was scarcely less numerous in the Shetland, the Orkney, and Faroe Islands ; in the former they annually
bred, but they are now far less numerous than formerly. During tempestuous weather and seasons of
extreme cold, it proceeds to the southward ; and the yonng, wandering further than the adults, occasionally
resort to the coasts o f Portugal, Spain, and the Mediterranean. Still it is strictly a bird o f the north, the
greater number remaining in those countries during the months o f summer, ever chasing the Gull and the
Sea-Swallow, and tyrannizing over all the other birds they can master.
“ Iu autumn,” says Macgillivray, ‘fcwhen the fry o f the coal-fish swarm along the shores, and shoals of the
sand-eel sport in the waters, vast numbers o f Gulls, Sea-Mews, and Terns, frequent the sandy coast. Here
on tliis beach let us seat ourselves, and take note of the occurrences, the time being tbe end o f August.
Tbe wavelets chase each other in undulating lines, the sunbeams glitter on the smooth surface o f the sea,
and th»* gentle breeze tempers the heat o f noontide. The sea-birds are on wing, wheeling and hovering all
around, . tous in their enjoyment,—their screams mingling into one harsh noise. Every now and then
a Tern dip* into the water, and emerges with a little fish in its bill, which it swallows without alighting.
In the raid«* of i’;i this bustle and merriment, there comes gliding from afar, with swift and steady motion,
a dark and wswlete-looking .bird, which, as it cleaves a path for itself among tbe White Terns, seems a
messenger o f dewtib. A few minutes ago he was but a dim speck on the horizon, or at least some miles
away ; and now Ite i* m the very midst o f them, has singled out his victim, and is pursuing it. The latter,
light and agile, attempt» to evade the aggressor, mounts, descends, sweeps 'aside, glides off in a curve,
turns, doubles, and shorts away, screaming incessantly the while. The Sea-Hawk follows the frightened
bird in all its motions, wliwh its superior agility enables it to do with apparent ease. At length the Tern,
finding escape hopeless, and perhaps terrified by tbe imminence o f its danger, disgorges part o f the contents
of its gullet, probably with a view o f lightening itself. The pursuer, with all his seeming ferocity, bad no
designs upon the life o f the poor Tern ; and now his object is evident, for he plunges after the falling fish,
catcher it in its descent, and presently flies off to attack another bird. In this way the marauder makes
bis round*, exacting tribute from all who he thinks are capable o f paying it, and not sturdy enough to resist
oppression. The teaser never fishes for himself on such occasions, although bis organization seems to fit
him for ¿7 rapine even more than that o f the Tern or Gull. When satisfied with food, be retires to
tbe distant bmcm o f the deep, or to some inlet or unfrequented part o f the sand; but his awakening
appetite s ow Sprees him to return, and, for hours together, he may be seen on wing, singling oat a bird
here and there pursuing it, or gliding swiftly, as if on urgent business, from one group to another.
Tbe pirate sweep, mpidly along on extended wings, which are considerably carved like those o f the Gulls
and Terns, the ku; o f which it resembles in its mode o f flight, although it moves more directly, with