o COHMOHANT. 



with a lowly one. It is well for those of a higher rank 

 in creation than the bird when they can thus readily ac- 

 commodate themselves to the circumstances in which they 

 are placed. Many pairs congregate together. 



In the former case the tops of lofty cliffs are built on, 

 or, as the next best, high trees. Failing these, a bed of 

 rushes is made to serve the purpose on the mainland; or 

 the top of a low island rock is resorted to. 



The nest, which is large, is composed of sticks or sea- 

 weeds, heaped up to the height of a couple of feet. The 

 finer portions of grass forming the interior. 



The eggs, small in proportion to the size of the bird, are 

 of a pale bluish or greenish white colour, without polish, 

 and of an oblong shape. Three, four, or five are usually 

 laid, but sometimes six. This in the month of April or 

 May. 



As soon as the young are able to fend and forage for 

 themselves, which is as soon as they can fly, they are con- 

 ducted to the sea by their parents, and then left to their 

 own resources. This is when they are about three weeks 

 or a month old. 



Male; weight, as much as seven or eight pounds; length, 

 about three feet three inches; bill, yellowish brown, the tip 

 horn-colour, hooked, and sharp-pointed, the base of the under 

 mandible yellow. The upper bill is furrowed on each side 

 nearly to the tip, without any appearance of a nostril. 

 Iris, bright green, giving the bird a singularly wild look, 

 and the gaze of some 'green-eyed monster.' Head on the 

 front, upper part, and sides, black, with narrow white silky 

 feathers intermixed, forming at the back a short crest, 

 deficient in winter, and the white nearly extinct: it is 

 erectile at will. Neck on the upper part, black, with the 

 like intermixture of white feathers, on the lower part and 

 the nape, greenish or bluish black, according to the light; 

 chin, white; the throat and pouch under it are blue with 

 yellow spots, margined on the sides with white, or greyish 

 white in winter, the gular pouch is yellow; breast, rich 

 greenish or bluish velvet black, excepting an oval white spot 

 above the leg, which is distinguishable in flight; from this 

 the bird is said by fishermen to have a watch under his 

 wing. It varies in size and conspicuousness according to 

 the season, and at times is only marked by one or two 

 sparse feathers. Back, dark brown, with purple and red 



