270 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



number appeared 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 out- 

 spread wings, and not at all in the manner represented by some 

 writers, who say 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, 

 many 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, sometimes very scanty, formed of fuci, 

 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 is smaller than the one preceding, and inhabits the 

 Arctic and Antarctic regions. A bird nearly resembling this (Phala- 

 crocorax Desmarestii) is described by Temminck and figured by 

 Gould, a species which has been observed in Corsica, and is of a 

 blackish green. Montagu satisfies himself that the Crested Cormorant 

 was only a seasonal variety of the Common Cormorant ; and pro- 

 bably others of the species described, if carefully examined, would 

 prove to be the same. McGillivray is of opinion, however, if Mr. 

 Gould's figure is correct, the species must be distinct. 



Pelicans (Pelicanus). 



The Pelican has the bill long, straight, rather broad, and very 

 much depressed ; upper mandible flattened, terminating in a hooked 

 tip much bent and compressed ; lower mandible formed of two bony 

 branches united at the point, from which a membranous naked skin is 

 suspended, forming a purse, which can be distended into a voluminous 

 bag. The Pelicans are large, heavy, aquatic birds, with great extent 



