Game and Water Birds Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... This species has been incorrectly named the Arctic Jaeger, --or Skua, as the birds of this group are called by British Ornithologists, --for it is less Arctic 1n its distribution than either of its relatives. All this group breed in high latitudes; but while the other species build within the Arctic Circle, the Parasitic Jaeger nests in numbers in Southern Greenland and throughout the higher portions of the fur countries, and nests have been found in Scotland. In winter this bird is common along the coast as far south as the Bay of Fundy, and some few examples wander along the New England shores. The Jaegers are very similar in their habits. All are strong birds, of swift and skilful flight, and all obtain their chief food supply by robbing the Gulls of their prey. The Kittiwake is the victim most frequently selected by the Parasitic Jaeger, and the little Gull has small chance for escape from its more powerful antagonist, who pursues and attacks until the coveted fish is dropped. But our bird does not limit its diet to fish, --young Gulls and eggs are quite as acceptable to the Jaeger's palate, --nor does it refuse any carrion the drift may offer, and in extremity will feast on crow-berries. LONG-TAILED JAEGER. BUFFON'S SKUA. Stercorar1us LONGICAUDUS. Char. Upper parts dark brownish slate, shading to darker on wings and tail; top of head sooty black; rest of head and neck huffish yellow, paler on the throat; breast white, shading into the grayish brown of the belly; shafts of two outer primaries white; middle tail-feathers narrow and pointed, and extending four to eight inches beyond the lateral feathers; bill grayish black; legs olive gray, feet black. Length about 23 inches. Young birds are grayish brown, more or less barred with white...