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STERCORARIUS CATARRHACTES.
Great Skua.

Larus Catarrhactes, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i
Juscus, Briss. Orn., tom. vi. p. 165.
Lestris catharractes, Ill. Prod. Syst. Mamm. et AYA pn 23s

Catharacta Skua, Brinn. Orn. Bor., no. 125.

Cataractes vulgaris, Flem. Edinb. Phil. Journ., vol. i. p. 97.

Catarractes skua, Steph. Cont. Shaw’s Gen. Zool. vol. xiii. p. 215.
Catarractes noster, Sibb. Scot. Ilust., vol. ii. p. 20, pl. 14. fig. 1.
Stercorarius catarrhactes, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. iii. p. 653,
Lestris antarctica, Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 616.

Megalestris catarractes, Bonap. Consp. Av. 1856, p. 206.

SD e2268

 

Stercorarius, sp. 5.

 

Tuis is the largest species of a group of sea-birds distinguished for many peculiarities in their habits and
economy, and to which the generic terms Sfercorarius, Coprotheres, and Lestris have been applied, either
to the species collectively or to the three divisions into which they have been separated; but, for myself,
I prefer to keep them under one appellation.

The Great Skua is the solitary wanderer which visits the seas on both sides of the Line—the great
brown bird seen by all voyagers who round the Capes of Good Hope and Horn—the Cape-Hen of the
sealers, the Port-Egmont Hen of Hawksbury’s and Cook’s Voyages. I have stated that this bird is found
on both sides of the Equator ; at the same time I am aware that the birds of this form frequenting the
southern hemisphere have been considered and characterized as distinct, under the name of Stercorarius
antarcticus ; but my own opinion is, that the birds of both hemispheres are referable to one and the same
species.

The Great Skua is unknown in Greenland, but, according to Mr. Alfred Newton, is pretty common along
the coasts of Iceland, and occasionally breeds some distance inland. Faber says it is resident, and names
four breeding-places in the south—an island in the Qélfusa, a sandy plain opposite the Vestmanneyjar,
and the dunes of Skeisardsansr and Breisamerkr. Dr. Kruper saw it in the north in summer-time ; so
that it probably breeds there also. In Scandinavia it is accounted rare, and it is very doubtful if it breeds
in any part of the country. Mr. Newton does not recollect seeing the bird more than once during three
voyages along the coast of Norway. It is not found in Spitzbergen; and though Von Baer includes it
in his list of the birds of Nova Zembla, I am disposed to think the information is erroneous. It is utterly
unknown on the coast of Siberia. Strange to say, Professor Baird’s ‘ List of American Birds’ gives the
western or Californian coast only as the habitat of the bird in that country. In all the situations above-
mentioned, whether the bird be at sea or on the grass-covered bleak hills of the islands upon which it
breeds, its presence is soon made known by its daring spirit. During the breeding-season, it is said that
every animal is savagely attacked that approaches too near its nest, and that he Eagle and the Great Gull
speedily scurry away out of distance, should they have ventured within its precincts.

“The Skua,” says Macgillivray, “has much of the aquiline character, although it is not known to pounce
on its prey and carry it off in its claws. On the other hand, it bears a great fee to the Gulls both
in form and habits, keeping its body horizontal when standing, walking, and running with quick steps, and
more rapid and direct, however, than that of the Gulls. Its voice is
sharp and shrill, and it is from the resemblance of its cry to that of the word skua or shut fe it ohne
its popular name. Dr. Edmonston informs me that ‘the Skua has now Peconic me ye ae i
consequence of proprietors permitting rapacious bird-collectors to shoot nie ee ae oF
breeding-season. In Unst there is only one locality frequented by them, and in al thie county there ang
In the one alluded to, the colony had been reduced to a single pair some years
otected, and now it reckons more than ten pairs. This is, I
at Britain, and as such, perhaps, deserves to be recorded. The
s gentle and affectionate, and will feed on almost anything.
auner of the Eagle; but his bearing is much more

having a light and buoyant flight,

not more than four or five.
ago; since then it has been efficiently pr
suppose, the most northern preserve in Gre
Skua is hardy and easily tamed. In captivity he 1

When offended, he raises his wings and yelps in the m
The bird remains with us durmg summer. :
kua as seen on the island of Foula, to the west-

: on
s of the high mountains, I came near the Skua’s
drew near than I was attacked with such

dignified and magnanimous. :
The Rev. Mr. Low gives the following account of the
ward of the Shetland Isles :—‘‘ As I approached the summit

. -y peak I no sooner
; which are affixed on the very peaks. ; ae oo
Piggies hich are ath : ae Hl 2 self, were obliged to do him obeisance at every
great fury, that every one who was with me, as well as mysen, 5
’ Cc 4