26 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



inconvenience to the builder. I recollect once 

 seeing an instance of this kind in a large reservoir 

 in South Yorkshire. Breeds in suitable places in 

 nearly all parts of the British Isles. Our illustra- 

 tion was procured in Norfolk. 



Materials. Decaying sedges, flags, reeds, and 

 rushes, and although not very elegant is wonder- 

 fully strong. It is a very pretty sight to see this 

 bird pulling up decayed weeds and swimming with 

 them to its half-constructed nest. 



Eggs. Seven to ten. As many as fourteen 

 or fifteen have been found. Dingy stone-colour 

 or dull buff, spotted and speckled all over with 

 nutmeg brown. Size about 2-1 by 1*5 in. 



Time. April, May, June, and July. 



Bernards. Kesident, and partially migratory. 

 Note, a clear, ringing ko. Local and other names : 

 Common Coot, Bald Coot. Sits lightly. 



CORMORANT. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 thirty-six inches. Bill rather long, straight except 

 at the tip, where it is hooked, and pale brown. 

 Irides green. Crown, nape, and a portion of the 

 neck black, intermixed with a number of very narrow 

 white feathers almost like hairs. The feathers at 

 the back of the head are elongated into a kind of 

 crest. The feathers on the back and of the wing- 

 coverts are dark brown bordered with black. Wing 

 and tail quills black. Round the base of the bill and 

 chin bare and yellow, bordered with white on the 

 latter. Neck all round below the portion streaked 

 with white, breast, belly, and under-parts rich bluish- 

 black, except on either thigh, where there is a patch 



