BRITAINS BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 165 



one must study the fundamental and more permanent 

 architecture of birds' bodies. 



The laboratory, then, has its fascinations, and the 

 results of its work strike deeper ; but for the present 

 we must return to the seashore and watch our Cor- 

 morants as they fly, pterodactyl - like, across the bay, or 

 stand in a solemn row on the sands of the estuary, 

 wings half-outstretched to dry in the sun and wind. 



The Cormorant may be found round most parts of 

 our coast throughout the year, and it nests in colonies 

 on low islets, broad ledges of cliffs, and other similar 

 situations. Inland also it is not unknown, and here and 

 there a colony may be found on a cliff* far from the 

 sea. In Ireland, moreover, it nests in trees in company 

 with Herons. A tree colony formerly existed in Suffolk, 

 and on the Continent the Cormorant is found as a tree- 

 nester far up the Danube. 



The nest is a rather large heap of seaweed, herbage, 

 sticks, and so on, according to locality. The stench of the 

 decaying materials, of the young birds' half-eaten food, 

 and of the other refuse, must be ' experienced to be appre- 

 ciated.' The eggs, three to h\e in number, are laid in 

 April or May. They resemble those of the Gannet in 

 having a chalky outer layer over the pale-blue under-shell. 

 The young are repulsive-looking, naked, and helpless nest- 

 lings, whose eyes do not open till a couple of weeks after 

 birth. When feeding the young, the mother takes a great 

 part of the head into her mouth. In immature plumage 

 the Cormorant is dark brown above, dull white and pale 

 brown below. In mature plumage the sexes are prac- 

 tically alike, although the male is the larger and brighter. 

 The white patch on the thigh is only present during 

 spring and early summer. 



We have referred to the Cormorant's methods of 



