376 PELECANID.E. 



the eel three or four hard blows against the rail, toss it up 

 into the air, and catching it by the head in its fall, swallow it 

 in an instant. Cormorants on the wing frequently follow the 

 course of a river many miles inland ; sometimes, perhaps, 

 mistaking stone buildings for rocks, as, a few years ago a 

 Cormorant was shot on King's College Chapel, in Cambridge. 

 That Cormorants possess considerable intelligence is shown 

 by several circumstances. They are easily reconciled to con- 

 finement ; and Montagu, in his Supplement, relates an in- 

 teresting account of one that very soon became so tame and 

 attached, that it seemed to be never so happy as when per- 

 mitted to remain by the side of its owner. They were 

 formerly trained to catch and bring fish to their masters. 

 Whitelock tells us, says Pennant, that he had a cast of them 

 manned like hawks, and which would come to hand. He 

 took much pleasure in them, and relates, that the best he 

 had w^as one presented him by Mr. Wood, Master of the 

 Corvorants to Charles I. The Chinese are said to use them 

 at the present time ; the bird is taken to the water side ; a 

 metal ring, or leather strap, by way of collar is put on his 

 neck, and he is then set at liberty to catch a fish, which he 

 brings to hand when called, a small cord being attached to 

 him, while in training, to insure his return ; having satisfied 

 the wants of his master, the collar is taken off, and the bird 

 is then allowed to fish for himself. Mr. Selby, in a note, 

 says, it appears probable that, under favourable circum- 

 stances, the Cormorant would breed in a reclaimed or domes- 

 ticated state, as Dr. Neill informed him that one in his pos- 

 session laid two eggs in April, 1832, and showed an incli- 

 nation to incubate. The eggs having been accidentally bro- 

 'ken, the fact of their impregnation remains doubtful. These 

 Cormorants roosted with the poultry when they found the 

 hen-house door open, keeping the cocks and hens at a re- 

 spectful distance. Mr. Strickland says Cormorants abound 



