i66 THE COMMON CORMORANT 



by the ripple of the water. A sheltered bay in which shoals of 

 small lish 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 stump of a 

 tree close to the water in a tidal river. The capture of fish is stUl 

 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.^ 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 hatclu-d two young m the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park 

 in 1882. 



