1 66 Visit to the Haunts of the Cormorant, 



Art. III. Notes of a Visit to the Haunts of the Cormorant, and 

 Facts on its Habits. By Charles Waterton, Esq. 



The fabulous story concerning the cormorant made a 

 great impression upon me in early youth ; and I well remem- 

 ber with what avidity I first read his true history in the pages 

 of Buffon. 



The old fable tells us that the cormorant was once a wool- 

 merchant. He entered into partnership with the bramble 

 and the bat, and they freighted a large vessel with wool. She 

 struck on some rocks, and went to the bottom. This loss 

 caused the firm to become bankrupt. Since that disaster the 

 bat sculks in his hiding-hole until twilight, in order that he 

 may avoid his creditors ; the bramble seizes hold of every 

 passing sheep, to make up his loss by retaining part of its 

 wool ; while the cormorant is for ever diving in the waters of 

 the deep, in hopes of discovering whereabouts his foundered 

 vessel lies. So far for the fable, which will always bring 

 pleasing recollections into the minds of those who are fond of 

 rural pursuits. 



The cormorants often pay me a visit in the winter season ; 

 and, could they but perceive that there is safety for them here, 

 and great danger elsewhere, they would remain with me while 

 the water is unfrozen. But they wander, unfortunately, 

 through parts where protection is not afforded them ; and, 

 being outlandish birds in the eyes of the neighbouring game- 

 keepers, they are immediately shot at. Those which find 

 their way here are so unconscious of danger, that, after they 

 have spent a considerable portion of time in diving for fish, 

 they will come and preen their feathers on the terrace which 

 rises from the water, within ten yards of the drawingroom 

 windows. 



The cormorant may be justly styled the feathered terror of 

 the finny tribe. His skill in diving is most admirable, and 

 his success beyond belief. You may know him at a distance, 

 among a thousand waterfowl, by his upright neck, by his 

 body being apparently half immersed in the water, and by 

 his being perpetually in motion when not on land. While 

 the ducks and teal and wigeons are stationary on the pool, 

 the cormorant is seen swimming to and fro, " as if in quest 

 of something." First raising his body nearly perpendicular, 

 down he plunges into the deep ; and after staying there a 

 considerable time, he is sure to bring up a fish, which he in- 

 variably swallows head foremost. Sometimes half an hour 

 elapses before he can manage to accommodate a large eel 

 quietly in his stomach. You see him straining violently, with 



