THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 541 



setting in of a light south-west wind, and dull mild weather ; all 

 the sea-birds vanished as if by enchantment, while Larks, A. 

 arvensis, began to pass on migration in large numbers. Blackbirds, 

 Fieldfares and Redwings made their appearance, and the first 

 Woodcock of the spring season was shot on the same day. In 

 fact, the spring migration henceforth underwent its usual develop- 

 ment without any further interruption worth mentioning. 



The breeding range of this small Merganser in the west com- 

 mences in northern Lapland and Finland, and extends through- 

 out northern Asia. Wolley obtained the eggs in Lapland, and 

 Seebohm on the Lower Petchora. 



Cormorant Carbo. This genus comprises a large number of 

 species which, with the exception of the Polar regions, are distri- 

 buted over all the countries of the earth. Three of the species are 

 resident in Europe, and of these two visit Heligoland in somewhat 

 solitary instances. 



345. Cormorant [KOKMORAN]. 

 CARBO CORMORANUS, Meyer. 1 



Heligolandish : Klewff-Skwarwer = .R0dfc Diver. Skwarwer, name 

 for Colymbus. 



Halieus cormoranus. Naumann, xi. 52. 



Cormorant. Dresser, vi. 151. 



Grand cormoran. Temminck, Manuel, ii. 894, iv. 563. 



Although the Cormorant is a generally well-known bird on this 

 island, it is only seen in exceptional and solitary instances, and is 

 but rarely shot. As long as I have been collecting, there has only 

 once been obtained an old male in spring plumage, with fine white 

 feathers on head and neck, and a white patch on the thighs. This 

 specimen has been in my collection during the last forty years. 

 Several younger birds, and old birds in winter plumage, however, 

 are obtained every year. These mostly come in from the sea before 

 sunset, and settle on one of the prominences of the steep face of the 

 cliff in order to rest for the night. For this purpose they almost 

 invariably seek out a spot where they can neither be seen from the 

 upper edge of the cliff nor from a boat, and are accordingly pro- 

 tected against every risk of attack ; they will frequently make use 

 of the same spot, for from three to six nights, as a resting-place after 

 the day's labours. 



1 Pfialacrocorax carbo (Linn.). 



