ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 55 



to my thinking a remarkably beautiful bird, most 

 especially in their present summer plumage. The 

 even, solid rich black of the entire back and breast 

 feathers, only relieved by the marked white patch upon 

 the wings ; the brilliant vermilion legs and feet ; the 

 exquisite brown of the i rides, are all heightened by its 

 rather dumpy but compact and very neat form. This 

 bird changes its plumage in a much more prominent 

 manner than -most of its class, in each season of the 

 year ; and I have been fortunate in obtaining speci- 

 mens of each stage. 



By-and-bye, a solitary shag (Carbo cristatus), here 

 provincially termed the scarfe, rests upon the wave 

 like an impersonation of mortality ; but rises lazily 

 upon the wing, as we draw upon his track. I am very 

 desirous to add one of these gentlemen to my collection, 

 and so shall strain every nerve to-day. They seem 

 completely at home, when out upon their fishing forays, 

 both above and below the surface of the watery 

 element, swimming with great ease and at a rapid pace, 

 and diving with well-known ajgility and power. When 

 swimming they seem to be continually in the act of 

 sipping and drinking the water, tossing up their long 

 ugly heads ceaselessly to swallow the same. Sundry 

 others appear, and, as we approach, offer seemingly a 

 fair shot, but dive or fly uninjured by the charge. 

 There are days and states of the wind and sea when 

 these birds will allow the boat to approach them 



