242 GREEN-CRESTED CORMORANT. 



and a boat, stationed at the entrance, but out of 

 sight, may sometimes procure shots at the disturbed 

 birds flying out, although they more frequently 

 dive into the water of the cave, and swim under 

 until far past the entrance. Some recesses on the 

 Kirkcudbright coast, frequented by these birds, have 

 the name of the " Doukers' Bing." The Cormorants 

 have the practice, after fishing, and having satisfied 

 themselves, of alighting in rows on some sand-bank 

 or rock, and resting with their wings held out as 

 if to dry. We have frequently observed from five 

 to twenty thus at rest on the low banks, with 

 which the Solway Firth is so fatally interspersed, 

 and in particular states of the atmosphere, they ap- 

 pear of large size, almost like human beings, in 

 search of shell-fish. We do not trace the range of 

 the Crested Cormorant satisfactorily. Northern 

 Europe and North-eastern Asia are the probable 

 localities. Birds which we have received from 

 Southern Africa, resembling this, appear to be dif- 

 ferent, although Mr. Yarrell gives that country to 

 it, on the authority of Dr. Smith. 



This very beautiful bird, in the full breeding 

 state, has the general colour of the plumage of a 

 rich blackish green ; on the head, neck and under- 

 parts, of a silky texture ; on the back and wings of 

 a deeper tint, and having there each feather banded 

 at the tip with velvet black ; the quills and tail (the 

 latter consisting of twelve feathers) are nearly with- 

 out lustre, and of a uniform black ; in this state, the 

 head is adorned with a transverse crest of broad 



