166 THE COMMON CORMORANT 
by the ripple of the water. A sheltered bay in which shoals of 
small fish abound is a choice resort, and here they make no long con. 
tinuous stay in the swimming attitude, but suddenly and frequently 
dive, remaining below a longer or shorter time, according to the 
depth which they have to descend in order to secure their prey, but 
when successful, occupying but a very brief space of time in swallow- 
ing it. Not unfrequently they may be discerned from the shore 
similarly occupied, floating or diving in the midst of the very 
breakers. Sometimes, but rarely, one settles on a rail or stumpof a 
tree close to the water in a tidal river. The capture of fish is still 
its object, and it is quite as expert in securing its prey from such a 
station as when roving at large on the open sea. 
All along our coast there is at various intervals a rock popularly 
distinguished in the neighbourhood by the name of ‘Shag rock’, 
Such a rock is generally low, isolated, and situated at a safe distance 
from land; or, if near the shore, is close to the base of a steep cliff. 
Hither the Cormorants, when their hunger is appeased, repair for 
the threefold purpose of resting, digesting their food, and drying 
their wings. The process of digestion is soon completed, but 
the time consumed in drying their thoroughly drenched wings 
depends on the amount of sunshine and air moving. Of these, 
whatever they may be, they know how to avail themselves to per- 
fection. They station themselves on the highest ridge of the rock, 
wide apart, and in a row, so as not to screen one another, raise their 
bodies to their full height, and spread their wings to their utmost 
extent. No laundress is more cunning in the exercise of her voca- 
tion. Indeed, they can hardly fail to recall the idea of so many 
pairs of black trousers hung out to be aired. 
Cormorants do not confine their fishing expeditions to the sea, 
but frequently ascend tidal rivers, and follow the course of streams 
which communicate with fish-ponds and lakes, where they commit 
great havoc ; for the quantity of fish which they devour at a meal 
is very great. Pliny has observed that the Cormorant sometimes 
perches on trees ; and the truth of this remark has been confirmed 
by many subsequent writers. They have been even known to 
build their nest in a tree, but this is a rare occurrence.1 They 
generally select exposed rocks, where they collect a large quantity 
of sticks and rubbish, and lay three or four eggs in a depression on 
the summit. 
Most people are familiar with a representation of a fishery with 
the help of Cormorants conducted by the Chinese ; but it is not so 
generally known that a similar method once was practised in Eng- 
land. Willughby quoting Faber’s Annotations on the Animals of 
Recchus, says: ‘It is the custom in England to train Cormorants 
1 A pair hatched two young in the Zoological Gardens in Regent’s Park 
in 1882. 
