GREAT CORMORANT. 387 



In spring, when the nuptial dress is advanced, they pair, 

 and soon after hetake themselves to their breeding-places, 

 usually shelves of exposed rock, at a considerable height, and 

 easily discovered by the quantity of white dung spread around. 

 The nest is very large, and rudely formed, being composed of 

 sticks and sea-weeds, heaped up sometimes to the height of 

 a foot or more, with a shallow cavity at the top. The eggs, 

 generally three, sometimes four, are of an oblong form, two 

 inches and eight-twelfths in length, an inch and three-fourths 

 in breadth, and, like those of every other species of Cormo- 

 rant, may be described as having a thick roughish bluish- 

 white shell, irregularly crusted over with a layer of white 

 calcareous matter, easily removed with a sponge and water. 



There is nothing particularly estimable in the character of 

 the Cormorant. It is extremely attentive to its young, quiet 

 and inoffensive in its general conduct, of a sluggish disposi- 

 tion, unless when in the water, and then exhibiting the 

 greatest activity. Its voice is a low, hoarse croak, seldom 

 heard. Extremely voracious, it swallows an enormous quan- 

 tity of food ; but in this respect is rivalled by the Gannet, 

 the Goosanders, and indeed almost all sea-birds. When it 

 betakes itself, as it sometimes does in winter, to fish-ponds, 

 it commits great havoc. At that season, it often ascends 

 rivers, and is sometimes seen perched on the trees, which is 

 noways remarkable, as the Cormorants of warm climates, when 

 the shores are low, not only perch, but nestle, on the mangroves. 

 It is easily tamed, and is then familiar, and even manifests an 

 affectionate disposition. An interesting account is given by 

 Montagu of one which he kept for a long time ; but as his nar- 

 rative is too lengthy to be inserted here, I shall present it in 

 an abridged form. 



The bird in question was surprised by a Newfoundland 

 dog, belonging to a fisherman, under the banks of a rivulet 

 that ran into the Bristol Channel. In about a week it was 

 perfectly familiarized, making one in the family circle round 

 the fire, and suffering the caresses of the children, who were 

 very unwilling to part with it. On being conveyed to the 

 ornithologist's, and liberated, it was offered every sort of food 

 at hand, there being no fish, but refused it, and therefore 



