JULY 149 



An indescribable and all-pervading smell, as of ancient 

 and decaying fish, clings to these bird-whitened cliffs, 

 and becomes more pronounced when Cormorants are 

 present to add Variety to the scene by their odd 

 gestures and vulturine aspect. On their favourite 

 perch they preen themselves with much writhing 

 of their snaky necks. One sits with its beak pointing 

 almost vertically upward ; another spreads its wings 

 to dry, and rests with them expanded like some giant 

 vampire. The cormorant gives a unique instance of 

 a bird which is not in its best plumage in the breeding 

 season, for the slight crest, silvery neck-hackles and 

 white thigh-patch of the nuptial period are lost 

 almost before nesting begins. 



In one instance well-known to us, the breeding place 

 of the Cormorants is a jagged rock rising some thirty 

 feet out of the sea, a narrow channel of clear, green 

 water separating it from a larger island. Upon the 

 9ummit, which appears as if it had received a coat of 

 snow, sit the birds, looking at a distance like so many 

 wine-bottles. If we invade their stronghold, the young 

 birds, which are full-grown but not yet able to fly, 

 tumble over the stones' and fall into the pools of liquid 

 filth in their endeavour to escape, while others blow 

 out their cheeks and pouches and cluck threateningly, 

 Others again, more nervous, essay a first flight to the 

 sea, but first lighten ship by throwing up the remains 

 of their last meal. An old cormorant comes in from 



