244 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



the boulders of the rock-strewn beaches of small 

 islands. Pretty generally round our coasts, where 

 suitable accommodation is to be found, but principall}' 

 on the west coast of Scotland. The illustration 

 on p. 59 represents a cave in which a number of 

 pairs of this bird. Rock Doves, and a pair of 

 Herons were breeding in the outer Hebrides. 



Materials. — Seaweed and twigs, lined with grass, 

 the whole plastered and befouled with droppings 

 and decomposing fish. Where conditions admit, it 

 is a bulky structure. 



Eggs. — Two to five, generally three ; pale green, 

 almost wholly covered by a chalky substance, which 

 soon becomes discoloured. The eggs resemble those 

 of the Cormorant closely, but are usually a trifle 

 smaller in size. The situation of the nest and 

 presence of birds readily distinguish them. Average 

 measurement 2-45 by 1*5 in. 



Time. — May and June. 



Bemarlxs. — Resident, but subject to local move- 

 ment. Note, a harsh guttiu'al croak. Local and other 

 names : Crested Shag, Crested Cormorant, Green 

 Cormorant. Shag and Cormorant are names fre- 

 quentl}^ interchanged by seamen and coast dwellers. 

 Gregarious. A bold and fairly close sitter. 



SHEARWATER, MANX. 



Descrijjiion of Parent Bii'ds. — Length about 

 fourteen inches ; bill rather long, straight, except at 

 the tip, where it is curved downwards, and blackish- 

 brown, lighter at the base. Irides hazel. Head, 

 nape, back, wings, and tail brownish-black ; chin, 

 throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts 

 white. The sides of the neck are barred transversely 



