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STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS.
Arctic Skua.

Larus parasiticus, Linn. Syst. Nat.
paanactes parasita, Pall. Zoogr. Ross.-Asiat., tom. ii. p. 310.

Lestris parasiticus, Il. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et AND ouoe

Stercorarius parasiticus, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. iii. p. 653
Lestris Richardsonii, Swains. Faun. Bor.-Amer., vol. ii. p. 433.
Stercorarius richards onii, Coues, Proc. Acad. Sci. Philad
Lestris thuliaca, Preyer, Reise nach Island, p. 418.
Richardson’s Skua of British Ornithologists.

, ed. 12, tom. i. p. 296.

Stercorarius, sp. 1.

- 1863, pp. 121, 135.

 

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: ; i: ;
No species ef the Benus Js subject to greater changes of plumage than the pr
a greater diversity in its colouring. The uniformly-
represents the bird in a somewhat abnor k 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, regar

esent bird, and none exhibits
coloured figure in the «Fauna Boreali-Americana ’
mal dress ; for, although dar

ys ded the specimens under his notice as pertaining
to a distinct species, and under this impression named them Les¢ris Richardsonii, in
Richardson ; but, as we now know he was in error in so doing, w
deprive the bird of the honour of bearing the name of th

Although the seas of the northern hemisphere
little doubt of the present bird being

honour of Dr,
e€ are compelled by the law of priority to
at distinguished traveller and scientific naturalist.
are inhabited by every species of this form, [T have but
the one most generally distributed, the regions of the Arctic circle
in both the Old and the New World being tenanted by it. From these parts of the northern hemisphere
its range extends over Europe and America, the British islands being perhaps the most southern country in
which it breeds. It is abundant. in Baftin’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 young, wandering further than the adults, occasionally
resort to the coasts of Portugal, Spain, and the Mediterranean. Still it is strictly a bird of the north, the
greater number remaining in those countries during the months of summer, ever chasing the Gull and the
Sea-Swallow, and tyrannizing over all the other birds they can master.

 

 

‘Tn autumn,” says Macgillivray, ‘‘ when the fry of the coal-fish swarm along the shores, and shoals of the
sand-eel sport in the waters, vast numbers of Gulls, Sea-Mews, and Terns frequent the sandy coast. Here
on this beach let us seat ourselves, and take note of the occurrences, the time being the end of August.
The wavelets chase each other in undulating lines, the sunbeams glitter on the smooth surface of the sea,

 

 

and the gentle breeze tempers the heat of noontide. The sea-birds are on wing, wheeling and hovering all
around, vociferous in their enjoyment,—their screams mingling into one harsh noise. Every now and then
a Tern dips into the water, and emerges with a little fish in its bill, which it swallows without alighting.
In the midst of all this bustle and merriment, there comes gliding from afar, with swift and steady motion,
a dark and resolute-looking bird, which, as it cleaves a path for itself among the White Terns, seems a
messenger of death. A few minutes ago he was but a dim speak on the bon aR or at least some miles
away ; and now he is in the very midst of them, has singled out his victim, and is pursuing it. The latter,
light and agile, attempts to evade the aggressor, mounts, descends, sweeps aside, glides off in a curve,
turns, doubles, and shoots away, screaming incessantly the while. The Sea-Hawk follows the frightened
bird in all its motions, which its superior agility enables it to do with apparent ease. At length the Tern,
finding escape hopeless, and perhaps terrified by the imminence of its CneeD Gre OLaes aa of ie soniens
of its gullet, probably with a view of lightening itself. The pursuer, with all his seeming ae a i
designs upon the life of the poor Tern; and now his object is evident, for he plunges after ie falling ty
catches it in its descent, and presently flies off to attack another bird; ik this way the marauder ma es
his rounds, exacting tribute from all who he thinks are capable of paying it, and a me ee to ae
oppression. The teaser never fishes for himself on such occasions, although a ae ae :
him for aquatic rapine even more than that of the Tern or Gull. When satisfie a . ee
the distant bosom of the deep, or to some inlet or unfrequented part of the san ; us — ae oe
appetite soon forces him to return, and, for hours together, he may be a ee ae ae
here and there, and pursuing it, or gliding rly ce es oe ae ‘ ae like oe of the Gulls
The pirate sweeps rapidly along on extended wings, ee foe 2 fe b ae more directly, with
and Terns, the latter of which it resembles in its mode of flight, although 1 ,