Ornithological Observations and Reflections in Shetland. 325 
of a pair fly from the rocks to its mate in the water and come 
down almost, if not quite, upon it. It would have been quite 
if the other had not dived,.and this, too, was done with a 
certain exuberance suggestive of a frolicsome spirit, the two 
birds seeming to be thoroughly pleased with one another. It 
is out of order, so far as I have seen, for a bird to join its mate 
in this fashion, and it struck me that there was a sufficient 
mutual consciousness of this to give something of a racy 
flavour to the performance. I admit, however, that in such » 
a matter one may be widely mistaken, also I think that birds 
are often credited with a ‘playful spirit when this cannot 
properly be said to obtain; indeed, there is more crediting, I 
think, with birds than with any other class of animal. Still, | 
maintain that there was a certain something and will leave it 
at that. 
As befits its size, the Cormorant is less active and quick 
‘both in air and water than the Shag, its dive lacks the energy, 
its flight the lightness—at least the comparative lightness, of 
the latter, but en revanche and equally in accordance with these 
physical differences, there seems to be something larger and 
more majestical in the bird’s spiritual nature. A Shag may 
be more pushing and elbowing, it may advertise itself more, 
show more aplomb, and, possibly for these reasons, get on better 
than its larger relative, which here, in the Shetlands, at 
any rate, it seems in a fair way of supplanting ; but it cannot 
assume (much less feel) a look of such quiet importance. In 
the higher meaning of the word it may be said—always speak- 
ing comparatively—to lack deportment, and when it comes to 
calmness it surrenders without a struggle. Also, though 
superior in agility, it can hardly be said to show more grace 
in swimming, that which distinguishes it from the Cormorant, 
here, being more like mere glibness of tongue as against “that 
large utterance’ of the latter. As an aerial artist, however, 
the Shag, I think, stands higher, and the general opinion 
would probably be that he is the handsomer bird of the two, 
though as has been said, or implied, less imposing. With 
this let the matter rest. Between two such birds it would be 
rash to give anything like a final judgment. Better (and 
safer) to admit the merits of both and let admiration halt 
between the two. In medio tutissimum bis. 
The caves along the coast, here, which Rock Doves may be 
seen entering or issuing from at any hour of the day, are not 
to be looked upon merely as resting places for these birds, 
‘but rather as homes, both to gather and take shelter in. They 
are, indeed, the natural dove-cote of which the manufactured 
one is the lineal descendant, as much as its tenants are those 
of the wild stock. Unfortunately,, none of these caverns— 
none that I have seen, that is to say—are penetrable to their 



1916 Oct. 1, 
