140 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vni. 



On August 3rd. I erected a hiding tent on the sandy 

 point, where I had seen the Cormorants disporting 

 themselves, and I stayed that night in a lodge by the 

 lake-side. The youngest bird was still in the nest, and 

 about 5 p.m. two others joined it. A great chattering 

 ensued and was maintained till dusk. Finally these 

 two young ones settled down to roost by the nest. But 



Fig. 10. THE LAST TO LEAVE, AUGUST 3rd. 

 {^Photographed by Miss E. L. Turner.) 



the adult birds and their first-born roosted in a corner 

 of the wood at the far end of the lake, where they could, 

 however, keep an eye upon their nursery. This youngster 

 now showed white on the breast and looked very 

 conspicuous against a background of fir branches. His 

 parents seemed very pleased with him and sat side by 

 side encouraging him to take short circular flights 

 above them, and each time he alighted they greeted 

 him with approving grunts. The old birds also indulged 

 in much quiet love-making, rubbing their beaks together 

 and raising and lowering their heads in unison. They 



