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Family Stercorariide

JAEGERS AND SKUAS.

Two of the six known members of this family are found in the antarctic regions, while the remaining four inhabit the northern parts of the northern hemisphere. Except during the nesting season, the Jaegers are as a rule pelagic, though they sometimes visit large bodies of water inland. They generally obtain their food by robbing Gulls and Terns, and have been well named the Hawks of the sea. Their greater power of flight enables them to successfully pursue these birds and force them to disgorge their recently captured prey. KEY TO THE SPECIES.

A. Bill over 1.35; tarsus over 1.70; middle tail-feathers never pointed. a. Bill over 1.90 35. SKUA. b. Bill under 1.90. 36. POMARINE JAEGER.

B. Bill under 1.35; tarsus under 1.70; middle tail-feathers generally pointed. a. Scaly shield on the bill longer than the distance from its end to the tip of the bill. 37. PARASITIC JAEGER. b. Scaly shield on the bill shorter than the distance from its end to the tip of the bill 38. LONG-TAILED JAEGER. 35. Megalestris skua (Brünn.). SKUA. Ad. - Upper parts, tail, and wings dark, dirty brown; shafts of the wing and tail-feathers white, except at the tip; outer wing-feathers with inner vanes white at the base; under parts somewhat lighter; neck more or less streaked with whitish. Im. - " Similar to adult, but more distinctly streaked with yellowish, especially on the head and neck." L., 22:00; W., 15-91; Tar., 2.63; B., 2.06 (Ridgw.).