60 CATALOG VE OF BIBPS. 



sea, stakes and posts that mark the channel in muddy 

 rivers or fresh-water hakes, and dead trees. 



I noticed an immature hird of this species settle 

 on the gilt cock that formed the vane on the top of 

 the Town Hall at Tain, in Ross-shire, a few minutes 

 before seven, one evening in September, 1869. This 

 was a most unpleasantly shaped perch, and the bird 

 had the greatest difficulty in steadying itself; the 

 clock striking the hour of seven disturbed it for a few 

 minutes, but, returning again, it managed, after two or 

 three attempts, to regain its former position. Here 

 it remained, evidently very uncomfortable, till fired at 

 from the centre of the High-street, and put to flight. 



I have, early in the spring, met with a few of these 

 birds w^ith perfectly milk-white necks, but (though 

 nearly losing the punt on one occasion in a vain 

 attempt) I never succeeded in obtaining a specimen 

 in that state of plumage. The white feathers must, I 

 should imagine, be either shed or change colour before 

 the breeding season, as I never noticed Cormorants 

 with their necks marked in this manner at any of their 

 nesting-stations. 



They breed in the face of high rocks and cliffs, 

 and at times on low islands, where their nests 

 are only elevated a few feet above high- water mark. 

 Among the sticks and other litter which they make 

 use of for building, I have seen children's whips and 

 spades, a gentleman's ligiit cane, and part of the 

 handle of a parasol, all of which I suppose the birds 

 had picked up floating at sea. 



The specimens in the case were shot at the rocks 

 under Sneaton Castle, a few miles north of Whitby, 

 in Yorkshire, in May, 1862. 



