'«K22 THE FEATHERED TRIHES. 



Colonel Montague had one of these birds sent to him alive and in perfect health. It 

 continued its first plumage till the regular moulting-time — the autumn, when it gra- 

 dualh' disappeared; the feathers were rei^laccd by the usual plain ones; and the second 

 moulting, when completely efiected, was similar to the last. It was extremely docile, of 

 a grateful disposition, and without any savage or vindictive spirit. 



This bird was surprised by a Newfoundland dog, belonging to a fisherman, under the 

 banks of a rivulet that runs into the Bristol Channel ; it was taken home, and not being 

 in the accustomed plumage, was reputed to be a curious and unknown species. 



As soon as Mr. Anstice heard of it, he went to see the bird, and found that in about a 

 week it had become perfectly familiarised, making one in the famih' circle round the fire, 

 and suffering the caresses of the children, who were very unwilling to part with it. It 

 was, however, conveyed to Colonel ^Montague in a basket. As soon as it had arrived and 

 was liberated, it followed the servant who released it, and was offered every sort of food 

 at hand, all of which was equallj"^ refused ; not even raw flesh was acceptable ; and no fish 

 could then be procured to satisfj' its hunger, having been twenty-four hours on its 

 journey. 



It was, in consequence, crammed with fish, which it took very reluctantly ; but even 

 with this rough handling, its formidable bill was not used offensively. After feeding, it 

 was placed on a stool, in a room adjoining tlie library, where it sat perfectly contented, 

 and adjusted its plumage. 



"Observing it," says the Colonel, "so perfectly reconciled to its new abode, and having 

 retired to the library, leaving both doors open, with the intention of returning, we were 

 astonished, in a few minutes, to see the stranger walk boldly into the room, while in con- 

 versation with a friend, and coming towards us mth the greatest confidence and famili- 

 aritv, joined us at the fire side, when it resumed the task of ijluming and dressing its 

 feathers. From hence we removed this bird to an aquatic menagerie, to which it was 

 carried without offering the least offensive resistance ; but the sight of water made it 

 restless, and when liberated, it instantly plunged in and dived incessantly for a consider- 

 able time, in hopes of prey ; and after searching every part of the pond without obtain- 

 ing a single fish, it aj^peared to be convinced there were none, and never made another 

 attempt for three daj's, during the whole of which time it was crammed with flesh, not 

 being able to procure any fish." 



The dexterity witli whicli this bird dived and seized its. prey was almost inci'cdible. 

 The quantity of fish it would swallow at a time was trulj' astonishing. 



THE GREEN CORMORANT." 



This bird is called Crrin- in the Nortli of England, and Srarf in ( )rkney. The bill is 

 one inch and ten lines longer than the head ; tlic tail is very long, graduated, conical, 

 and comprised of twelve feathers. The largest of the species measures about two feet 

 six inches in length, tliree feet eight inches in extent of wing, and weighs nearly four 

 pounds. 



The Green Cormorant is very abundant in tlu^ regions of the Arctic and An tarctic 

 circles, and is a bird of passage in the eastern countries of I'hirope. It has mucli the 

 appearance and manners of the preceding, although the two .-pecies arc not observed to 

 consort. But they arc alike greedy and voracious, and after having overgorged them- 

 selves, they are often found on shore in a drowsy or stupid state ; but wlieu the torpor 

 is over, they appear again on tlie water, wlierc they are extremely alert, and not easily 



• Pelccinuis graciilus. Linn. 



