BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. 



"5 



in the hand only, is the fact that carbo has fourteen tail feathers and dilophus 

 twelve. The tail is generally well worn by abrasion on the rocks. In the 

 hand, one is also impressed by the uncanny shape of the jet black feet sug- 

 gestive of a bat's wing, and the fur-like feathers of the neck. The birds seen 

 in January, 1905, were first noticed from the shore a mile and three quarters 

 distant. Even at this distance I was able with a telescope to make out the 

 white belly and thus distinguish the species. Later, we sailed within a hundred 

 and fifty yards of them and could observe them closely. 



38 [120] Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swains.). 

 Double-crested Cormorant; "Shag." 



Common transient visitor; April 4 to June 18, (to July 7) ; August 22 to 

 November 24. 



Like many sea birds, this species is more commonly seen in the autumn 

 flight, when it occurs all along the coast, but particularly off rocky shores. 

 Mr. R. S. Eustis tells me that he observed two Cormorants from June 20th 

 to July 7th, 1904, off Marblehead. They were not seen after the latter date. 

 Dr. J. C. Phillips reports that they are not infrequently seen flying high over 

 Wenham Lake, especially in easterly storms in October, and on one occa- 

 sion, in 1900, a single bird alighted in the lake. 



The Corvus marinus, or Cormorant, is, as its name implies, a great black 

 bird, which when once known is easily recognized. Singly and in flocks of 

 from five to thirty or more it is to be found flying along the coast most abun- 

 dantly in October. It alights on the water and on rocks and rocky islands, and 

 is particularly fond of spar buoys. The huge tripod on the Great Salvages off 

 Rockport is one of their favorite perching places. Its attitude on a perch is 

 most characteristic. The bird sits upright resting on its tail, with an S-curve in 

 its neck. It often sits in spread-eagle style with wings stretched, the head 

 sometimes turned to one side and upwards, looking like the typical Eagle on the 

 old-fashioned mirrors. I have seen them keep this position for ten minutes by 

 the watch. 



I once saw three Shags on the beach at Ipswich. Only occasionally did 

 they rest their tails on the sand, generally keeping them raised an inch or two. 

 They frequently stood on one leg, and they walked with an exaggerated waddle. 

 I was interested to examine their footprints on their departure. The three 

 front-toe marks with nails were plainly shown, and a deep depression marked the 



