SKART, SCARFE, OR GREEN CORMORANT. (Pelicanus graculus, Lin.-Le petit Cormoran, ou le Nigaud, Buff.)

THE form, the aspect altogether, the outward conformation of all the parts, the character, manners and habits, and the places of abode, of this species, are nearly like those of the Corvorant; but they do not associate, and these make their nests on the rugged shelvy sides and crevices of the rocky precipices or projecting cliffs which overhang the sea, while the others make theirs on the summits above them; and these are at once distinguished from the others by the greenness of the upper, and brownness of the under plumage, and also in being of a much less size; the largest Shags weighing only

about four pounds, and measuring nearly two feet six inches in length, and three feet eight in breadth. The bill is of a more slender make, but nearly as long as that of the Corvorant; the head, in the male, is crested in the same manner; the middle claw is serrated; and its tail, consisting of twelve stiff feathers stained with green, is also of the same form and hoary or dirty appearance as that of the Corvorant: the crown of the head, hinder part of the neck, lower back, and rump, are of a plain black, or very dark green, shining like satin: the upper back, or shoulders, together with the scapulars and wings, are nearly of the same colour, but with a tinge of bronze brown, and each feather is distinctly edged with purple glossed black: the under parts are clouded with dusky dirty white and brown.

The Shag is as greedy and voracious as the Corvorant, and, like that bird, after having over-gorged its stomach, is often found on shore in a sleepy or stupified state; but when this torpor is over, and they appear again upon the water, they are then extremely alert, and are not easily shot, for both kinds dive the instant they see the flash of the gun, and take care afterwards to keep out of its reach. In swimming they carry their head very erect, while the body seems nearly submerged, and from their feathers not being quite impervious to the water, they do not remain very long upon it at a time, but are frequently seen flying about, or sitting on the shore, flapping the moisture from their wings, or keeping them for some time expanded to dry in the sun and the wind. Notwithstanding the strong and offensive smell emitted from the Shags and the Corvorants, some instances are not wanting of their having been eaten by

people in this country; but before they are cooked, they must undergo a certain sweetening process, part of which consists in their being first skinned and drawn, and then wrapped up in a clean cloth, and buried for some time in the earth; after which they are made ready for eating in various ways, though generally potted like Moor Game.

THE Gannet is generally about seven pounds in weight, three feet in length, and six in breadth. The bill is of a pale or lead-coloured blue, six inches long, a little jagged on the edges, strong and straight to the tip, which is inclined a little downwards: the upper bill is furnished with a distinct rib or ridge, running along from the tip nearly to its base, on each side of which it is furrowed, without any visible appearance of nostrils: the tongue is small, and placed far within the mouth, all the inside of which is black: a darkish line passes from the brow over the eyes, which are surrounded with a naked blue skin,

and, like those of the Owl, are set in the head so as to look nearly straight forward, and the extreme paleness of the irides gives them a keen wild stare. The gape of the mouth is very wide, and seems more lengthened, by a slip of naked black skin, which is extended on each side from the corners beyond the cheeks: these features of its countenance, altogether, give it somewhat the appearance of wearing spectacles. A loose black bare dilatable skin, capable of great distention, hung from the blades of the under bill, and extended over the throat, serves it as a pouch to carry provisions to its mate, or its young. The body is flat and well cloathed with feathers; the neck long: the crown of the head, nape, and, in some specimens, the hinder part of the neck, are of a buff colour; greater quills and bastard wings black, and the rest of the plumage white. The tail is wedge-shaped, and consists of twelve tapering sharp-pointed feathers, the middle ones the longest. The legs and feet are nearly of the same colour and conformation as those of the Corvorant, but they are curiously marked by three pea-green stripes, which run down each leg, and branch off along the toes. The male and female are nearly alike, but the young birds, during the first year, appear as if they were of a distinct species, for their plumage is then of a dusky colour, speckled all over with triangular white spots.

The female makes her nest in the caverns and fissures, or on the ledges of the louring precipice, as well as on the plain surface of the ground: it is formed of a great quantity of withered grasses and sea-weeds of various kinds, gathered with much labour from the barren soil,* or

"They continue to pluck grass for their nests from their coming in