Catharacta maccormicki Feb 10 must be due to departure of non-breeders or the failure. Scanning out over the bay from V. shore yesterday I was struck by the numbers of skuas seen flying about over the ice even at a great distance north. Some were seen feeding on bodies of penguins presumably chicks. Occurred to me that with the departure of the chicks & no effect & high mortality among them the skuas around tend to depart with them. (Follow penguins all winter?) I have seen skuas quite often in past 10 days to 2 weeks feeding on chick carcasses along shore (in wet) but have made no specific reference to it. Survived chick 102 from pair 305 killed on Feb.8. This chick developed well until almost pledged when legs became weak & he could no longer stand. I noted on the 8 that one leg was bent out deeper so killed the chick. Bones were extremely brittle, crumbled at slightest squeeze of sphincter; body debilitated. same chrestro noted in demming Hadow + Gretchin. Feb 11 A few items picked upon skua record. 1: Calvis + legs of chick 2: Wings of chick beginning to w. primaries 2 under 5 long. Both these items found