482 



WEE-FOOTED BIRDS. 



cessible rocks to which it prudently retires for greater safety 

 from the intrusion of enemies. 



In Europe, where they are alike sedentary and averse to 

 migration, they are known to breed from the coasts of Hol- 

 land to the shores of Greenland, and they are equally resi- 

 dents in America nearly to the extremity of the Union. 

 The nest is usually made with sticks, sea weeds, grass, and 

 other coarse materials, commonly upon rocks, but some- 

 times upon trees on the banks of rivers, where they are 

 occasionally seen perched. According to Lawson, they are 

 observed in great flocks in Carolina, in March and April, 

 when the herrings ascend the creeks ; at which time they are 

 seen on fallen logs in the water waiting and watching the 

 approach of their prey. 



The Cormorant rarely exceeds the length of 3 feet 3 inches, and 

 is commonly smaller. The bill blackish-ash, 5 inches long. Irids 

 grass or emerald green. The chin and round the base of the bill to 

 the eyes, bare and yellow. Head and neck black. Back greenish- 

 black, glossed with purple, each feather bordered with deep black; 

 scapulars and wing coverts the same, dashed with ash color. Below 

 black, except a small patch of white upon the throat. Quills and 

 rounded tail dusky black. Feet black. 



Swrnner plumage with a dark green brilliant long crest upon the 

 hind head and a part of the nape ; also a large white collar on the 

 throat. Upon the summit of the head, on a great part of the neck 

 and the thighs, appear some very long, attenuated, silky white feath- 

 ers. The rest of the plumage is as in the winter. These feathers 

 also are more or less long in proportion to the age of individuals. 



