290 DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS, AND PELICANS. 



masts. When we appear off the mouth of the cave a consider- 

 able number appear conspicuously perched on the little shelving 

 rocks and projections, their dusky figures strongly relieved by the 

 whitened surface of the rocks. Some of them fly overhead as we 

 approach, but more drop into the water like a stone. On looking 

 down we see them rapidly winding their way under the boat, 

 swimming with outspread wings, and not at all in the manner 

 represented by some writers, who saj^ that it propels itself entirely 

 under water by the feet and tail. Glancing aloft, we see many 

 Black Guillemots in the clefts ; and above them is the eyrie of 

 the White-tailed Eagle. But our business is with the Shags, 

 which are now seen writhing their long necks as they gaze upon 

 us. Presently a shot is fired, and another ; the dead birds drop 

 on the water, the living plunge headlong into it, manj' advance 

 on the wing, but, being frightened by the upraised oars, dart into 

 the water. 



" Advancing a little, we find that many still remain on the 

 rocks ; of these we shoot some more. Presently some of those 

 which had escaped return, and perch ; and we continue shooting 

 until we have obtained as many as we desire. After all the 

 uproar we have created, several still remain standing near their 

 nests, loath to quit them. Although most of the nests are out of 

 reach, some are accessible. We find them generally bulky, some- 

 times very scanty, formed of fuel, twigs, heath, and grass rudely 

 put together, made flat, or with a shallow cavity, containing two, 

 frequently three, sometimes four eggs, never more." 



This bird has black plumage, as we have seen, is smaller than 

 the one preceding, and inhabits the Arctic and Antarctic regions. 

 A bird nearl)^ resembling this [Phalacrocorax Desmarestii) is 

 described by Temminck and figured b}'^ Gould, a species which 

 has been observed in Corsica, and is of a blackish ffreen. Montagu 

 satisfied himself that the Crested Cormorant was only a seasonal 

 variely of the Common Cormorant; and probably others of the 

 species described, if carefully examined, would prove to be the 

 same. McGillivraj^ is of opinion, however, if Mr. Gould's figure 

 is coi'rect, the species must be distinct. 



