562 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
bay, in comes the first arrival, looking dark and 
gloomy in the dull light, as he flies up the cavern 
and pitches on some rock, where he remains, at first 
twisting his long neck in every direction and peering 
about to see that there is no danger: if he thinks 
there is, away he goes and flies about the bay, and 
sometimes a considerable way out to sea, till he 
thinks it is all safe: while he is away perhaps two or 
three others come in, all taking the same precautions, 
and going off again if there seems to be any danger. 
As it grows darker the arrivals increase, and some of 
the frightened ones come back: they appear then to 
come in more resolutely, and not take so many pre- 
cautions against danger, soon coming back, even if a 
shot is fired at them. 
The Cormorant is a fine large bird, quite as large 
as a good-sized tame Goose, but the body differs in 
shape, being longer in proportion to the breadth, and 
the legs are put on much further back—more hke 
those of the Colymbide. The adult bird in summer 
plumage, from which the following description is 
taken, was shot at Exmouth on the 10th of April: 
there were others about at the same time, some 
quite as much in summer plumage, and others with 
little or no appearance of it, and no “white shirt” 
hanging out on the thighs :—the bill is pale brown, 
the point horny, and the upper mandible much 
hooked over the lower; the irides bright but darkish 
green; the top of the head, the neck all round, the 
