55 



elevated spots such as detached rocks or beacons 

 at sea, stakes and posts that mark the channel in 

 muddy rivers or fresh- water lakes, and dead trees. 



I noticed an immature bird of this species 

 settle on the gilt cock that formed the vane on the 

 top of the Town Hall at Tain in Ross-shire a few 

 minutes before seven one evening in September, 

 1869. This was a most unpleasantly shaped perch, 

 and the bird had the greatest difficulty in steadying 

 itself ; the clock striking the hour of seven disturbed 

 it for a few minutes, but returning again it managed 

 after two or three attempts to regain its former 

 position. Here it remained, evidently very uncom- 

 fortable, till fired at from the centre of the High 

 Street and put to flight. 



I have early in the spring met with a few of 

 these birds with perfectly milk-white necks, but 

 (though nearly losing the punt on one occasion in a 

 vain attempt) I never succeeded in obtaining a 

 specimen in that state of plumage. The white 

 feathers must, I should imagine, be either shed or 

 change colour before the breeding season, as I 

 never noticed cormorants with their necks marked 

 in this manner at any of their nesting stations. 



They breed in the face of high rocks and cliffs, 

 and at times on low islands, where their nests are 

 only elevated a few feet above high water mark. 

 Among the sticks and other litter which they make 

 use of for building I have seen children's whips and 

 spades, a gentleman's light cane, and part of the 

 handle of a parasol, all of which I suppose the birds 

 had picked up floating at sea. 



The specimens in the case were shot at the 

 rocks under Sneaton Castle, a few miles north of 

 Whitby in Yorkshire in May, 1862. 



The nest and eggs were taken at the Fern 

 Islands off the coast of Northumberland in June, 

 1867. 



