398 PHALACROCORAX GRACULUS. 



however keen the observer may be ; and I have now to regret 

 tliat I can say nothing with certainty as to the cries of either 

 young or okl. 



Although most of them repose in the caves and fissures 

 all the year, many, after the breeding season, roost on the 

 shelves of rocks. Sometimes, during very severe storms in 

 winter, when the sea is so agitated as to prevent a bird from 

 seeing into it, they remain at home all day ; but this seldom 

 happens, even on the most exposed parts of the coasts, as the 

 creeks and little bays present smoother Avater. It does not 

 appear that this species often visits lakes or rivers. Nor is it 

 ever met with far out at sea, its favourite fishing-stations 

 being the eddies of channels, bays, and estuaries. Gr(;at 

 numbers frequent particular low rocks or insular crags, for 

 the purpose of resting at some period of the day, generally 

 betAveen ebb and high water. There they preen themselves, 

 spread out their wings in the sun or wind, and repose in a 

 standing posture, with contracted neck. 



In dry weather, I have often seen individuals of this 

 species, Avhile SAvimming, erect themselves in the Avater, and 

 spreading out their wings, remain in that posture for a long 

 time. On the rocks, and sometimes on Ioav islands and sand- 

 banks, it is common enough to see them Avitli all their broad 

 funereal banners spread out. Although not so shy as the 

 Great Cormorants, they seldom alloAv a boat to come Avithin 

 shot on such occasions ; and Avhile engaged in fishing, they 

 cannot often be obtained, on account of their vigilance, and 

 the extreme rapidity of their moA'ements. On being fired at, 

 or otherwise alarmed, they ahvays dive, and reappear at a 

 distance. They rise heavily from the Avater, striking it with 

 their feet and Avings to a considerable distance, and in alight- 

 ing on it, or on the rocks, they come down abruptly. On 

 land they move clumsily, being incapable of Avalking effec- 

 tively. Indeed, the roosting-placcs of many of them do not 

 present a surface of a foot square, and they never alight else- 

 Avhere unless for the purpose of resting. ToAvard evening, 

 Avhen their labours are finished, they may be seen Avending 

 their way in silence over the sea, generally near the coast, 

 and in strings, to their roosting-places. 



