ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 217 



cHts as I speedily learned thereafter, the fresh-stufEed specimens were 

 literally torn into a thousand fragments by these abominable felines. 

 It is, as I did not see it afterwards during my residence on the group, 

 a straggler, and nothing more. 

 23. Graculus bicristatus. Red-faced Cormorant; "Oreel." 



As this bird of Pallas is found about the islands during the whole 

 winter as well as the summer, despite the weather, perched on the 

 sheltered bluffs, the natives regard it with a species of affection, for 

 it furnishes the only supply they can draw upon for fresh meat, soups, 

 and stews, always wanted by the sick; and were these shags sought 

 after throughout the year near as diligently as they are during the 

 lono- spell of bitter temperature that occurs here in severe winters, 

 drivino- other waterfowl awav, they certainly would be speedily exter- 

 minated; yet they are seldom shot, however, when anything else can 

 be obtained. The terrible storms in February and March, when the 

 wind "boorgas" blow as tornadoes, are unable to drive the shag away; 

 but all other waterfowl, even the big northern gulls, depart for the 

 open water south. It comes under the cliffs to make its nest and 

 lay— the earliest of the birds in Bering Sea. Two eggs were taken 

 from a bed on the reef, St. Paul Island, June 1, 1872, nearly hatched, 

 which is more than three weeks in advance of the other waterfowls, 

 almost Avithout exception. The nest is large, carefully rounded up, 

 and built upon some jutting point or narrow shelf along the face of a 

 cliff or bluff; in its construction sea ferns (Seriularuhe), grass, etc., 

 are used, together with a cement made largely of their own excrement. 

 The eggsare usually three in number, sometimes four, and, com- 

 pared with the size of the bird, are exceedingly small. They are oval, 

 of a dirty, whitish gray, green, and blue color, but soon become soiled; 

 for although this bird's plumage is sleek and bright, yet it is very 

 slovenly and filthy about the nest— the dirtiest bird of all the north 

 when we regard its domestic economy. The young- come from the 

 shell at the expiration of three weeks' incubation, without feathers 

 and almost bare, even of down; they grow, however, rapidly, fed by the 

 old birds, who eject the contents of their stomachs, such as small fish, 

 crabs, and shrimps, all over and around the nest. In about six weeks 

 the young cormorant can take to its wings, and, strange as it may 

 seem, it is then fully as large and hea\T as the parents; but it is not 

 until the beginning of its second year that it shimmers out m the bright 

 plumage and metallic gloss of the adult, wearing, during the first year 

 of probation, a dull, dingy, drab-brown coat, with the brilliant red 

 colors at the base of the bill and gular sac subdued. 



This cormorant is a stupid and very inquisitive bird. It utters 

 no sound whatever, except when flying over, about, or around a boat 

 or ship, which seems to possess a magnetic power of attraction for 

 it. When it is thus hovering and circling aloft in this method it 

 utters a low, droning croak. It can not be called a bird of graceful 

 action at any place, either on the wing, in the sea, or perched. Its 

 flight is a quick beating of the wings, which are usually more or less 

 ragged at the edge, with the neck and head stretched out full length 

 horizontal to the axis of the body. So curious is it that in flying 

 around and around again to satisfy itself it comes close enough for 

 an observer, should he stand erect in the bow of a boat, almost to 

 touch it with his hand. It is very dirty on the rocks, and does not 

 keep its nest in tidy trim like the gulls; but in regard to its plumage 

 I frankly confess that I have sat for long intervals near a shelf upon 



