THE COMMON OR GREAT CORMORANT. 
245 
— among others, by Sir Wm. Jardine, in his ‘ British Birds/* 
When at Strangford Lough, on the 21st of June, 1832, I saw 
fifteen cormorants (but of which species I was not near enough 
to determine), after a very heavy shower of rain, standing toge- 
ther in a line, apparently on the water, though in reality on 
a sunken rock, which did not rise to the surface, with their 
wings outstretched to dry ; it would thus appear, as we might 
expect, that a wetting by rain prompts the expansion of the wings 
as well as that by sea-water. I have at other times, in the midst 
of the breeding season, seen many of these birds here. 
Mr. Poole has contributed the following note: — “Nov. 5, 
1847. — The cormorants frequenting Wexford Harbour seem 
almost universally to retire to the Saltee Islands, about fifteen 
miles distant, every evening, to spend the night. Still, I have 
reason to think, that a few remain perched on the posts set up 
for channel-marks through the harbour. A single bird has ap- 
propriated to his own private accommodation the outside post of 
the channel, leading from my limestone quarry, thus saving him- 
self the trouble of a fifteen miles' excursion morning and evening. 
I conclude that it is entirely for want of a suitable roosting- 
place in the vicinity that they go so far for a night's lodging. 
This evening I was somewhat amused at the endeavours of a 
second bird to get a share of the fortunate perch on which my 
acquaintance had located himself. The cormorant is an awkward 
bird upon the wing, and this one was but little more active than 
others of his tribe. Time after time he ventured to the charge, 
but could get no admittance there for the sole of his broad foot. 
Then off would he fly to another perch at some distance ; but 
finding insufficient footing upon it, after flapping his wings for a 
few minutes, in the vain attempt to settle, he would drop down 
into the water to rest himself. Till darkness came on the contest 
was maintained ; but while my sight served me, the first and most 
fortunate occupant stoutly maintained his position, perhaps in- 
wardly amusing himself at the fruitless manoeuvres of his assailant, 
* Vol. iv. p. 242. 
