Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

Nest.—But a single white egg is laid on the bare ledges. They vary greatly in color, from nearly white without markings to a deep greenish blue with an endless variety of patterns in light and dark brown (3.40 × 2.00).

Range.—Pacific coast, breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska.

POMARINE JAEGER.

36. Stercorarius pomarinus. 21 inches.

These birds are slender and graceful in form and flight, but are the real pirates of bird life, especially among the terns and gulls. This species has two color phases regardless of sex or age. In the light plumage the top of the head is black, rest of the bird brownish. Easily identified by the lengthened central tail-feathers.

Nest.—Two olive brown eggs spotted with black (2.20 × 1.70).

PARASITIC JAEGER.

37. Stercorarius parasiticus. 17 inches.

This bird has the two phases of color similar to the last. The two central tail-feathers are longer and more pointed, projecting about four inches beyond the others. All of the Jaegers have grayish blue legs with black feet, and brown eyes.