14 



Cormorants 



kick off, and the beak is just meeting the water to complete the down- 

 ward half of the semicircle which he describes (Fig. 3). 



They are able to stay under water for a great length of time — 

 four or five minutes at least — and to travel during that time at a 

 great pace with or against the tide in any direction, using, as all 



Fig. 3. 



these birds do, their wings as well as their feet to propel themselves 

 with. Therefore, to those who would pursue a wounded Shag that 

 is diving strongly, I would offer the advice "Don't"; the chances 

 are all in favour of the bird. 



If vou compare the Cormorant's method of diving with that 

 followed by one of the true Divers, e.g., the Great Northern Diver, 

 vou see how entirely different the two systems are. 



At rest 



Frightened, is preparing 

 to dive. 



Fig. 4. 



At rest, the latter bird sits with fully half the body out of water. 

 When preparing to dive, or when frightened, he sinks the body 

 lower and lower, till merely the top of his back and head and neck are 

 left above the water line ; then he sharply meets the water by lowering 

 his head, and the body follows the head, so that the dive is completed 



