244 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



the boulders of the rock-strewn beaches of small 

 islands. Pretty generally round our coasts, where 

 suitable accommodation is to be found, but principally 

 on the west coast of Scotland. The illustration 

 on p. 59 represents a cave in which a number of 

 pairs of this bird. Rock Doves, and a pair of 

 Herons were breeding in the outer Hebrides. 



Materials. Seaweed and twigs, lined with grass, 

 the whole plastered and befouled with droppings 

 and decomposing fish. Where conditions admit, it 

 is a bulky structure. 



Eggs. Two to five, generally three ; pale green, 

 almost wholly covered by a chalky substance, which 

 soon becomes discoloured. The eggs resemble those 

 of the Cormorant closely, but are usually a trifle 

 smaller in size. The situation of the nest and 

 presence of birds readily distinguish them. Average 

 measurement 2*45 by 1*5 in. 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Resident, but subject to local move- 

 ment. Note, a harsh guttural croak. Local and other 

 names : Crested Shag, Crested Cormorant, Green 

 Cormorant. Shag and Cormorant are names fre- 

 quently interchanged by seamen and coast dwellers. 

 Gregarious. A bold and fairly close sitter. 



SHEARWATER, MANX. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 fourteen inches ; bill rather long, straight, except at 

 the tip, where it is curved downwards, and blackish- 

 brown, lighter at the base. Irides hazel. Head, 

 nape, back, wings, and tail brownish-black ; chin, 

 throat, breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts 

 white. The sides of the neck are barred transversely 



