562 BIRDS OF SOMEESETSHIEE. 



bay, in comes the first arrival, looking dark and 

 gloomy in the dull light, as he flies up the cavern 

 and pitches on some rock, where he remains, at first 

 twisting his long neck in every direction and peering 

 about to see that there is no danger : if he thinks 

 there is, away he goes and flies about the bay, and 

 sometimes a considerable way out to sea, till he 

 thinks it is all safe : while he is away perhaps two or 

 three others come in, all taking the same precautions, 

 and going off again if there seems to be any danger. 

 As it grows darker the arrivals increase, and some of 

 the frightened ones come back : they appear then to 

 come in more resolutely, and not take so many pre- 

 cautions against danger, soon coming back, even if a 

 shot is fired at them. 



The Cormorant is a fine large bird, quite as large 

 as a good -sized tame Goose, but the body differs in 

 shape, being longer in proportion to the breadth, and 

 the legs are put on much further back more like 

 those of the Colymbidse. The adult bird in summer 

 plumage, from which the following description is 

 taken, was shot at Exmouth on the 10th of April: 

 there were others about at the same time, some 

 quite as much in summer plumage, and others with 

 little or no appearance of it, and no "white shirt" 

 hanging out on the thighs : the bill is pale brown, 

 the point horny, and the upper mandible much 

 hooked over the lower ; the irides bright but darkish 

 green ; the top of the head, the neck all round, the 



