106 the ornithologist's guide 



numerous : its nest is composed of sticks and 

 seaweeds, and is built on the shelves and inacces- 

 sible parts of the cliffs ; frequently on the small 

 rocky islands, where it collects in small numbers. 

 It is extremely shy, which probably arises from 

 its being so much disturbed. It is difficult to get 

 within shot of this bird, as it instantly flies off on 

 the approach of a boat. 



Phalacrocorax cristatus, Steph.j Flem. 

 Crested Shag. Green Cormorant. — This bird con- 

 gregates in large flocks and is very numerous in 

 both countries ; it builds its nest on the shelves 

 of high rocks, the female laying two eggs. The 

 young are easily tamed, and are docile, sagacious, 

 and affectionate. The adult bird is in the most 

 perfect plumage in the months of April and May ; 

 after this time it loses the crest. In several spe- 

 cimens which I procured in the month of June, 

 part of the feathers on the top of the head were 

 wanting, and the remainder easily came off on 

 being handled, 



Sula Bass ana, i?Wss. Gannet*. Solan Goose, 

 - — This species is more numerous in Orkney than in 

 Shetland, where it arrives in great numbers about 

 the latter end of September and the beginning of 



