CORMOKANT. 217 



various nesting-stations. The nest of the Cormorant 

 may be either on the ground on a low island or reef, on 

 the ledges of maritime or other precipices, or in lofty- 

 trees and bushes. When on a low reef it is usually 

 a mass of stalks of the coarser marine herbage, and 

 sea-weed, lined with bits of green thrift, sea-campion, 

 and sea-parsley ; when on trees and rock ledges it is 

 generally a great pile of sticks and twigs, lined with 

 coarse grass, but the practice of adding green vegeta- 

 tion of some kind is still adhered to. The birds are 

 not very demonstrative at the nests, leaving them before 

 their colony is very closely approached, and usually 

 retiring to some distance to await the passing away of 

 the disturbance. I have frequently noticed that when 

 the nests have been built on cliffs the birds are more 

 loth to leave them than when placed on the low surface 

 of an island. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Cormorant are from three to six 

 in number, but the former amount is most frequently 

 found. The colour of the shell is a delicate green, but 

 usually this is entirely concealed (or only visible here 

 and there) by a thick coating of lime, which may be 

 easily removed with a pen-knife. The eggs are long and 

 oval, and vary a good deal in size. Average measure- 

 ment, 27 inches in length, by v6 inch in breadth. In- 

 cubation, performed by both sexes, lasts a month. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the Cor- 

 morant may generally be distinguished from those of 

 the Shag (the only species with which they can be 

 confused in our islands) by their larger size ; but this 

 character is not constant, so that they require careful 

 identification. It might be remarked that the Shag 

 nests very frequently in a cave or fissure, or even in a 

 hole in the cliffs. 



