Ornithology of Corsica. 315 



determine the species. Martorelli (' Gli Uccelli d'ltalia/ 

 p. 318) states that it is plentiful along the northern coast 

 of Sardinia and in the Straits of Bonifacio, while Giglioli 

 (' Avifauna Italica,' Secondo Resoconto, p. 416) states that 

 he has seen this species at Ajaecio and on the Lake of 

 Biguglia, near Bastia. 



165. Phalacrocorax gracclus desmaresti Payraiid. 

 Mediterranean Shag. 



Phalacrocorax desmarestii Payraudeau, Ann. Sci. Nat. (1) 

 viii. p. 464 (1826— Sardinia). 



Local name : Margone. 



A fairly common resident on the rocky islets near the 

 coast. Parrot and Wharton record it as present in the 

 winter months. It is a very early breeder, for Whitehead 

 found the young full-grown and swimming about with their 

 parents on May 2; and though I visited their breeding- 

 places several times from May 7 onward, I found only one nest 

 which still contained young birds. This was probably due 

 to the earlier layings having been taken by the fishermen. 

 The young, easily distinguishable by their white under 

 surface, were swimming about in shoals, and it was amusing 

 to see them dive simultaneously when shouted at from the 

 boat. In many cases the birds nest under the big boulders 

 on the brush-covered hillsides of the islands, but some 

 breed in the natural crevices on the sea-cliffs. The clutch 

 consists of only two or three eggs, and the average size of 

 twenty-six Corsican eggs, taken in March and April, is 60'13 

 X 37-07 ; max. 697 x 88 and 61 x 40, min. 54'2 x 34-3 mm. 



Pelecanus sp, inc. Pelican. 



[Whitehead was told by several Corsicans that Pelicans 

 visited the island in winter, while Giglioli regards them as 

 accidental visitors, and suggests P. onocrotalus as the 

 species in question.] 



166. Hydrobates pelagicus (L,). Storm-Petrel. 

 Giglioli describes this species as common at sea between 

 Bastia and Capraia. Although not recorded by any other 



SEU. IX. VOL. VI. Z 



