270 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
_number appeared conspicuously perched on the little shelving rocks 
and projections, their dusky figures strongly relieved by the whitened 
surface of the rocks. Some of them fly overhead as we approach, 
but more drop into the water like a stone. On looking down we see 
them rapidly winding their way under the boat, swimming with out- 
spread wings, and not at all in the manner represented by some 
writers, who say that it propels itself entirely under water by the feet 
and tail. Glancing aloft, we see many Black Guillemots in the clefts ; 
and above them is the eyrie of the White-tailed Eagle. But our 
business is with the Shags, which are now seen writhing their long 
necks as they gaze upon us. Presently a shot is fired, and another ; 
the dead birds drop on the water, the living plunge headlong into it, 
many advance on the wing, but, being frightened by the upraised 
Oars, dart into the water. 
“ Advancing a little, we find that many still remain on the rocks ; 
of these we shoot some more. Presently some of those which had 
escaped return, and perch ; and we continue shooting until we have 
obtained as many aswe desire. After all the uproar we have created, 
several still remain standing near their nests, loath to quit them. 
Although most of the nests are out of reach, some are accessible. 
We find them generally bulky, sometimes very scanty, formed’ of fuci, 
twigs, heath, and grass, rudely put together, made flat, or with a 
shallow cavity, containing two, frequently three, sometimes four eggs, 
never more.” 
This Bird is smaller than the one preceding, and inhabits the 
Arctic and Antarctic regions. A bird nearly resembling this (PAala- 
erocorax Desmarestit) is described by Temminck and figured by 
Gould, a species which has been observed in Corsica, and is of a 
blackish green. Montagu satisfies himself that the Crested Cormorant 
was only a seasonal variety of the Common Cormorant; and pro- 
bably others of the species described, if carefully examined, would 
prove to be the same. McGillivray is of opinion, however, if Mr. 
Gould’s figure is correct, the species must be distinct. 
PELICANS (Peélicanus). 
The Pelican has the bill long, straight, rather broad, and very 
much depressed ; upper mandible flattened, terminating in a hooked 
tip much bent and compressed ; lower mandible formed of two bony 
branches united at the point, from which a membranous naked skin is 
suspended, forming a purse, which can be distended into a voluminous 
bag. The Pelicans are large, heavy, aquatic birds, with great extent 
