THE COMMON OR GREAT CORMORANT. 245 



— among others, by Sir Win. Jardine, in his 'British Birds.'^ 

 When at Strangford Lough, on the 21st of June, 1832, I saw 

 fifteen cormorants (but of which species I was not near enougli 

 to determine), after a very heavy shower of rain, standing toge- 

 ther in a line, apparently on the water, though in reality on 

 a sunken rock, which did not rise to the surface, with their 

 wings outstretched to dry ; it would thus appear, as we might 

 expect, that a wetting by rain prompts the expansion of the wings 

 as well as that by sea-water. I have at other times, in the midst 

 of the breeding season, seen many of these birds here. 



Mr. Poole has contributed the following note: — "Nov. 5, 

 1847. — The cormorants frequenting Wexford Harbour seem 

 almost universally to retire to the Saltee Islands, about fifteen 

 miles distant, every evening, to spend the night. Still, I have 

 reason to tliink, that a few remain perched on the posts set up 

 for channel-marks through the harbour. A single bird has ap- 

 propriated to his own jnivate accommodation the outside post of 

 the channel, leading from my limestone quarry, thus saving him- 

 self the trouble of a fifteen miles' excursion morning and evening. 

 I conclude that it is entirely for want of a suitable roosting- 

 place in the vicinity that they go so far for a night's lodging. 

 This evening I was somewhat amused at the endeavours of a 

 second bird to get a share of the fortunate perch on which my 

 acquaintance had located himself. The cormoraui is an awkward 

 bird upon the wing, and this one was but little more active than 

 others of his tribe. Time after time he ventured to the charge, 

 but could get no admittance there for the sole of his broad foot. 

 Then off would he fly to another perch at some distance ; but 

 finding insufficient footing upon it, after flapping his wings for a 

 few minutes, in the vain attempt to settle, he would drop down 

 into the water to rest himself. Till darkness came on the contest 

 was maintained ; but while my sight served me, the first and most 

 fortunate occupant stoutly maintained his position, perhaps in- 

 wardly amusing himself at the fruitless mancEUvres of his assailant^ 



* Vol. iv. p. 2Ji2. 



