Antique Print, Arctic Skua, or Richardson’s Skua, 1909

Historically, Arctic Skuas have been identified as several different species because they are notoriously complicated to identify. The Latin name given for this 1909 illustration is a synonym for the widely used Stercorarius parasiticus. Not only are Arctic Skuas very similar to other Skua species, they also have three different colour variations. This hand coloured print, drawn to 3/7ths of the bird’s natural size, is of a dark variation adult male in its summer plumage.

This detailed illustration is by Lilian M.Medland, a well known and highly acclaimed bird illustrator of her time. From Birds of the British Islands, written by Charles Stonham and published by Grant Richards Ltd. in 1909. Lillian Medland began working on the 318 illustrations required for the 5-volume publication in 1906, her first work as a professional artist.

Size 31 x 25 cm. Condition Good.