198 JOTTINGS ABOUT BIRDS. 



dawn or dusk waiting for the ebbing of the tide. 

 The Cormorant [Phalacrocorax carbo) and the Shag 

 [Phalacrocorax graculus) may be introduced with 

 greatest effect into a picture of ocean rocks, either 

 as the birds are sitting basking in the bright sun- 

 shine, often with wings outstretched, or near their 

 nests and roosting-places in the ocean caves and on 

 the ledges of the chfFs. The latter bird is easily 

 distinguished from the former by its smaller size, 

 green tints, and, in the early breeding season, con- 

 spicuous frontal crest of recurved feathers. It has 

 also only twelve tail feathers, the Cormorant possess- 

 ing fourteen. The Cormorant has the bare skin 

 of the face and throat yellow, whilst in the Shag 

 it is black. The Gannet {Sulci I'asscnia), in its 

 snowy plumage, is another bird belonging to this 

 family, and one singularly effective either when in 

 the air or seated on the rocks. Gannets fishing in 

 the deep blue waters of a northern sea would make 

 a grandly effective subject for the marine j)ainter. 

 The pretty Ringed Plover {/Egialitis hiaticula) and 

 the Turnstone {St?'epsilas interpres) are also birds 

 of a sandy shore appealing strongly to the artist's 

 careful treatment. But sufficient has been said to 

 suggest any number of striking studies to the 

 marine artist, and to enable him to introduce 



