GREAT CORMORANT. 385 



time of the day, for I have observed them early in the morn- 

 ing, at noon, and in the evening, the Cormorants may be seen 

 standing lazily on the rocks, some with outspread wings, as 

 if sunning themselves, or drying their plumage, others repos- 

 ing, with the head under one of their wings, or directed 

 forwards on their retracted neck. Should a boat approach 

 them they soon become alarmed, raise one foot after the other, 

 and throw their long necks about in a singular manner, 

 straining themselves to perceive the intruders, their sight 

 being apparently not very clear in the open air, however 

 penetrating in the water. I have thought it remarkable that 

 they will allow a vessel propelled by steam to pass much nearer 

 than an ordinary boat, without removing ; but this is equally 

 the case with many other sea-birds. When fairly alarmed, 

 they take to wing, launching in a curved line, and then flying 

 low over the water, with a moderately quick, sedate, and even 

 flight, usually in silence. Sometimes, however, they plunge 

 headlong into the water, and emerge at a great distance. I 

 have never seen them alight on land anywhere but on rock, and 

 there, besides being restrained by the nature of the place, their 

 motions are awkward, they not being at all fitted for walking. 

 They alight heavily, and rather abruptly, keep in a much 

 inclined position, and seldom remove to any distance. On 

 the sea also they alight heavily, and sit deep in the water, 

 having the faculty, when apprehensive of danger, of sinking 

 still deeper, so as to leave little exposed to view. They swim 

 with surprising speed, often immerse their bill, and even the 

 whole head, as they proceed, and dive with extreme agility, 

 with a sudden dart, and without opening their wings until 

 they are under the surface, but then using them, as well as 

 their feet, to propel themselves. In rising from the water 

 into the air, they advance several yards, flapping the sea with 

 their wings and feet, before they obtain a free course. Their 

 food consists of small fishes, up to the size of a herring. On 

 seizing their prey they come to the surface, toss their head 

 until the fish assumes a proper position, and swallow it head- 

 foremost ; or occasionally toss it up in the air, and seize it 

 again with open throat. Should it be too large to be swal- 

 lowed, they beat and tear it with their bill, sometimes retiring 

 VOL. V. 2 c 



