138 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vm. 



When I went again on the .31st two flew out of the nest, 

 while the remaining birds sat up and watched the world 

 in general. Later in the day I rowed after the two 

 fledged birds and found that they could only take short 

 flights, after which they either dropped on to the water 

 or stood on shore. Sometimes they perched on a rope 

 which was stretched across one end of the lake for the 



FiK. 8. SLKillTLY BORED, JULY 31st. 

 (Photographed by Miss E. L. Turner ) 



use of bathers. The young Cormorants found some 

 difficulty in balancing themselves on this, and generally 

 ended by falling into the water. I stayed that night 

 at the keeper's house, hoping to creep up the ladder at 

 dawn without disturbing the sleeping birds, but it was 

 a wet morning and photography out of the question. I 

 went out at 5.30 and found one bird sitting on the bridge 

 and two playing in the water ; this left only the youngest 

 at home. I spent from 9 a.m. till noon near her, but 

 she slept peacefully for two hours, while I spent the 

 time watching the others disporting themselves with 



