THE CORMORANT 349 



ones being immense piles of sticks and vegetable refuse, the 

 accumulation of many seasons. The ground is strewn with 

 decaying fish, and the nests and rocks are white with the 

 droppings of the birds, so that on close warm days the stench 

 becomes almost unbearable, and may be detected a long 

 distance over the water. It will thus be seen that the 

 Cormorant has three very distinct kinds of nesting-place — 

 trees, rocks, and low islands. This fact is interesting, for it 

 shows us how readily some birds can and do accommodate 

 themselves to circumstances. 



In winter Cormorants collect into flocks of varying size, 

 and wander far and wide in search of food. At this season 

 they, visit low-lying coasts and many inland pools, being 

 attracted by the supply of fish, or driven in by stress of 

 weather. During very rough weather the Cormorant does 

 not fish much, but sits and mopes on the rock-shelves and in 

 the quiet creeks under the cliffs, waiting for the storm to 

 pass and the angry waves to calm ere it can resume its 

 labours. 



