caves of the Hebrides. In the morning they may be seen at South Town, in Harris, covering the sea 
to a eonsiderable extent on their passage from the caves of Liuir and Toe-head to their fishing-stations 
in the sound. I have counted a hundred and five in one flock ; and the number exceeded this consi- 
derably, as many were under Avater at tbe time. When commencing the act of diving, they rise with 
a spring entirely out of the water. The nest is generally bulky, but sometimes very scanty, formed of 
fuci, twigs, heath, and grass rudely put together, nearly flat or with a shallow cavity containing two, fre- 
quently three, and sometimes four eggs, never more, bluish white In colour, subelliptical, and very narroAv 
in proportion to their length, hut varying greatly in size as well as form, some being extremely narrow, 
others of considerable breadth ; their general form is oval, one end being always decidedly smaller and 
sometimes even pointed. Their length varies from tAvo inches and seven tAvelfths to two inches and 
three tAvelfths, the breadth from an inch and seven twelfths to an inch and five twelfths. They are 
generally soiled by the feet of the birds, like those of the Gannet and Grebes. At first the young are 
bare all over, and of a purplish black colour ; presently, howcA^er, they are covered Avith a broAvnish black 
doAvn, soft but not close, and leaving the head, part of the neck, and the abdomen bare ; then the 
feathers gradually sprout, the birds rapidly increase in size, and in se\'en or eight weeks are fledged. 
They are at first fed Avith half-digested fish, disgorged by their mother, and at length, becoming very 
plump, are esteemed delicate food by tbe Hebridians. 
“There is a large cave on the Avest coast of Harris, celebrated for the number of Shags which reside In 
it, and so lofty that a boat can enter to a considerable distance Avithout having the masts taken down. I 
have several times visited it in the breeding-season, when the birds had numerous nests on the sides. On 
approaching the mouth of the cave, we see a considerable number of Shags conspicuously perched on the 
little shelves and projections, their dusky figures strongly relieved by the whitened surface of the rock. 
Some fly overhead as we approach ; but more drop into the water, like a stone. On looking down Ave see 
them rapidly Avending their Avay under the boat, flying with outspread wings. The Shags being noAv 
alarmed, are seen writhing their long necks as they gaze upon us. Presently a shot is fired! another! The 
dead birds drop on the AA'^ater ; the living plunge headlong into it ; many advance on Aving, but being 
frightened by the upraised oars dart into the water. After all the uproar several remain standing near their 
nests, as loth to quit them. I have often crept into one of these caves, Avhich has a narroAv passage from the 
land, and, advancing stealthily, have seen eight or ten Shags beloAv, at the distance of a few yards. On the 
arrwal of the mother, the young open their bills wide, stretching up their necks Avith a wriggling 
motion, and receive their food from her mouth. The nest, as Avell as the rocks around, is covered Avith 
white dung ; and a disagreeable stench, as of putrid fish, emanates from them. It does not appear 
that this species often visits lakes or rivers ; nor is it ever met with far out at sea, its faA^ourite fishing- 
stations being the eddies of channels, bays, and estuaries. Great numbers frequent Ioav rocks or insular 
crags for the purpose of resting at some period of the day, generally between ebb and high Avater. There 
they preen themselves, spread out their wings in the sun or wind, and repose in a standing posture Avith con- 
tracted neck. In dry Aveather I have often seen individuals, while SAvimming, erect themselves in the Avater, 
and, spreading out their Avings, remain in that posture for a long time. 
“ It is equally abundant in Orkney, Avhere Mr. Loav says he has ‘ observed sometimes five hundred in a 
flock, especially when they had fallen in with a shoal of small fish.’ ” 
Thompson says that this species is resident in Ireland, inhabiting all quarters of the coast, and gives a 
similar account of its habits and manners. 
It is surely unnecessary to give a detailed description of so AA^ell-knoAA'n a bird ; but it may be well to 
to mention that the young, during their first autumn, haA'’e the greater part of the under surface white, and 
are destitute of the decoratiA'e crest. 
The figure represents an adult in summer plumage, about three fourths of the natural size. 
