THE CORMORANT. 
315 
The egg is of about the same size as that of tlie Guillemot, 
but it generally has a tinge of brown in the ground colour. 
When the blotches upon the Eazor-bill’s eggs are very large 
and deep, they are usually paler about the edges, having very 
much the appearance of marks made by scorching with hot 
coals. Among the largest specimens I have met with is one 
taken in June 1864, measuring three inches and one line by 
one inch ten lines. It is distinctly tinged with bluish gi’een. 
The eggs are found singly, upon rocks, in situations similar to 
those chosen by the common Guillemot ; but I have known 
an instance of the occurrence of a Eazor-bill’s egg in a deep 
crevice between two pieces of rock, after the occasional habit 
of the Tystie. The bird sits horizontally upon the egg, and 
will now and then sit so close as to be taken by the hand. 
One which was brought alive to me, thus captured, had bitten 
the hand of its captor so severely as to draw blood. 
The cry of the young bird is very peculiar, being a loud 
shrill note, something between a chirp and a whistle, but more 
resembling the latter. I had a good opportunity of observing 
it at leisure in a nestling, not yet feathered, in captivity. 
Of the illustrious congener of this species, the Great Auk, 
there is, alas ! nothing to be said, no authentic record existing 
of its having been seen in Shetland. 
III. PELECANIDAJ. 
THE COEMOEANT. 
Phalacrocorax carlo. 
LOERING (adult ) — BRONGIE (^oung). 
Of the two Cormorants which abound in all parts of the Shet- 
land coast, the present species is the less numerous ; but it may 
be seen at all seasons, the birds in windy weather flying at a 
considerable height, or riding just outside the surf, and diving 
