76 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OP GLASGOW. 



Tv^hen sitting, and it requires a well-directed stone to 

 make them leave their nests. On a hot day the- 

 stench from their nests is dreadful. They are very 

 fond of having their nests on the ledges of rocks 

 which form the small "gyos" (little creeks in the 

 cliffs, perhajDs not more than a good jump across, 

 but always with deep water beneath into which they 

 can fall with safety when danger threatens). After 

 the young have left the rocks, the Shags collect into 

 great flocks and haunt the sounds about the islands;: 

 they still, however, frequent their breeding-shelves, 

 as well as the rocks on the smaller islands. Whilst 

 on the water I have often seen a Scarf raise itself 

 up and float with its wings raised and oj)en, just as 

 it would do when drying itself on a rock. A favourite 

 place for Scarfs to sit and dry themselves was a 

 point of rock near Westness House, and almost 

 invariably a Great Black-backed Gull was sitting 

 with them. They are considered the best bait, after 

 fish, for lobsters. 



