155 



Black Sea and Sea of Azoff; and Artzibascheff states that it is common on the Sarpa, but 

 especially so at the mouth of the Volga, where its numbers are almost beyond conception. 



In Poland a few used to nest near Warsaw about forty years ago, but now it is of accidental 

 and rare occurrence. In North Germany, however, it is tolerably common, and nests in many 

 localities, in spite of endeavours to keep its numbers down. 



Formerly, Mr. Collin writes (Skand. Fugl. p. 708), the Cormorant used to breed in several 

 forests in Denmark, especially near the sea, as, for instance, at Slien, Holdnses, Skanderborg, on 

 Lolland and Falster, at Nakke-bolle, in Fyen, Karrebaksminde, and Grevinge, in Seeland, &c. ; 

 but now, being so destructive to the forests and fisheries, it has been nearly everywhere exter- 

 minated. He gives particulars of a few localities where it still breeds in spite of every effort in 

 most places to drive it off. Mr. Benzon informs me that it arrives in Denmark about the middle 

 of March, and leaves late in August ; but stragglers are met with throughout the winter in places 

 where the water remains open. He remarks that small colonies are to be found nesting here 

 and there in the large forests on the coast, especially near a fiord or bay. Mr. H. M. Labouchere 

 informs me, " at one time the Cormorant used to breed in large numbers on a piece of land near 

 Rotterdam, which from this fact was called Schollevaars Eiland (Cormorants' Island) ; but since 

 the water surrounding this place was drained a few years ago, and the woods on it were cut 

 down, they have quite disappeared from those parts and are now only found in a few localities. 

 I have, however, often observed them during the breeding-season on the meres near Naarden 

 and other parts of the country, and have no doubt they still breed in several of the less-populated 

 parts." It is common on the coast of Belgium and at the mouth of the Scheldt throughout the 

 greater part of the year, and occasionally visits the inland rivers and sheets of water. In France 

 it is to some extent migratory ; but numbers breed along the cliffs from Boulogne to Dieppe, on 

 the coast of Brittany, and near Biarritz. M. Hardy remarks that every year individuals in 

 immature plumage may be found breeding near Dieppe. It is said to be common on the coast 

 of Portugal; and both Colonel Irby and Mr. Howard Saunders state that it is generally distri- 

 buted along the coast and on the rivers of Spain in the winter. 



Passing eastward again, I find it recorded by Bailly as found in autumn and winter on the 

 lakes of Savoy; but only young birds, and never adults, are seen there. In Italy, according to 

 Salvadori, it is tolerably numerous ; but whilst resident in some parts, it occurs in others prin- 

 cipally in autumn and winter. In Tuscany it breeds on trees in several of the large swamps, 

 and nests also in Sicily, and on rocky parts of Sardinia, where, Mr. Brooke writes (Ibis, 1873, 

 p. 345), it is " extremely common. One morning early in March I counted forty-three in one 

 flock, flying like wild geese from the sea to feed during the day on the stagno of Scaffa. Many 

 of them had the white spot on the hip." In Malta, according to Mr. C. A. Wright (Ibis, 1864, 

 p. 154), the Cormorant is " not uncommon, but is not very regular in its visits. Generally 

 appears in the winter months. I have seen it, however, in spring, summer, and autumn." 



In Southern Germany it is not rare. "Every spring," Dr. Fritsch writes (J. f. Orn. 1872, 

 p. 373), "small flocks of these birds, which are very destructive to fish, come to Bohemia. 

 They were plentifulin 1836 and 1846 near Pardubic; and there is no doubt they would settle 

 here if allowed to do so. In old game-lists they figure under the name of 'Wasserrabe;' and 

 a premium of eighteen kreutzers was paid per head. In the spring of 1863 a flock of fifteen 



