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and Barra, and also on the uninhabited rocks, such as the Haskeir group and other islands, lying 

 to the west of North Uist. Very large companies frequent the sounds which separate the 

 islands; and in these stations they are seen daily, at certain states of the tide, fishing in 

 congregations which in extent remind one of a dense colony of Guillemots. Late in the 

 afternoon they rise on wing in detachments, and betake themselves to the caves in which they 

 generally pass the night. One of these caves named Liuir, on the west side of Harris, is perhaps 

 the best-known throughout the Long Island. There cannot be less than two or three hundred 

 Green Cormorants in it during the breeding-season ; and at other times of the year it gives ample 

 shelter to the poor birds when the fury of the winter storms prevents a seaward flight. In the 

 Inner Hebrides this Cormorant is equally common, frequenting similar caves. Dr. Dewar found 

 a large breeding colony in the island of Rum ; the nests were chiefly on broken boulders not far 

 from the water's edge ; and the birds were so tame as to allow themselves to be seized with the 

 hand before quitting the nest. Nearer the mainland it is found in Skye, Mull, Iona, and Staffa, 

 as well as upon Islay, Jura, and Gigha; a few frequent Ailsa Craig; and I have observed con- 

 siderable numbers in the caves along the rocky shores of Ayrshire and Wigtonshire. It is 

 frequent at the Mull of Galloway and at Burrow Head, thence northward as far as Gailiestown. 

 1 have seen from forty to fifty in one day while driving between these two places." 



In Ireland, Thompson writes (B. of Irel. iii. p. 250), " the Shag is resident, inhabiting all 

 quarters of the coast, but generally less numerous than the common species (Phalacrocorax carbo). 

 . . . Much the best account we have of this bird in any breeding-haunt on the coast of Ireland is 

 from Dr. J. D. Marshall, who informs us, in his published memoir, that about the 1st of July, 

 1834, 'Ave found this Cormorant (Phalacrocorax cristatus) in pairs, frequenting the numerous 

 caves with which the northern and western shores of Rathlin are indented. They formed their 

 nests on the high ledges of rock, almost touching the summit of the caves ; the nest was composed 

 of fuci of various kinds, matted and plastered together ; the eggs were of a bluish-green colour. 

 We sometimes, by good management, entered the caves ere the Cormorants had left, and at such 

 times we found them sitting, with the neck and head thrust over the ledge of the rock, looking 

 down on the boat as it made its way to the inner extremity of the cave. On firing our guns they 

 would drop into the water as if they had been shot, and, with great expertness, dive under the 

 boat, and make their way out to sea. This species seemed much more numerous than the 

 common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).' " 



The Shag does not appear to have occurred in Greenland ; but it is said to be tolerably 

 common and resident in Iceland, as also in the Faeroes. It is found on the coasts of Norway 

 throughout the entire year. Mr. Collett says that it is sparingly met with off the Nedenees 

 coast, in Christiania Stift, becoming more numerous west of Lindesnses, and off Stavanger it is 

 common. It breeds all along the west coast of Norway, being most abundant within the Arctic 

 circle. According to Nilsson it is not met with on the Baltic coasts of Sweden ; nor does it ever 

 visit the coasts of Finland, except that portion of Finnish Lapland which skirts the Arctic Ocean. 

 It is not found in the Baltic Provinces or Poland ; and in North Germany it is of rare occurrence, 

 not having been met with on the Baltic coast. According to Naumann it has once been shot, 

 and several times seen, off the Elbe ; Brahts records it from Neuwied, and Altum as having been 

 obtained in Westphalia. It is only occasionally met with on the coasts of Denmark, and has 



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