402 Synopsis of the Birds 



somewhat turned outward ; tibia much drawn up into the 

 belly, wholly feathered ; tarsus naked, one third shorter than 

 the outer toe, much compressed, carinated before and behind ; 

 outer toe longest, edged externally by a small membrane ; 

 connecting membrane broad, full, entire ; hind toe half as 

 long as the middle : nails moderate, curved, broad, bluntish ; 

 middle nail serrated on the inner edge, equal to the others. 

 Wings moderate, slender; quills stiff; second and third pri- 

 maries longest. Tail rounded, of twelve or fourteen rigid 

 feathers. 



Female similar to the male. Young, especially yearling, 

 differing greatly from the adult. Moult twice in the year, 

 acquiring additional ornaments in winter. Plumage very 

 thick and close. Colors black. 



Keep in families near water. Fly well and rapidly. Alight 

 on branches, or sit for hours on high rocks, with their wings 

 spread open. Walk in an erect posture, awkwardly, resting 

 on their rigid tail. Swim admirably, deep in the water, ge- 

 nerally their head only appearing. Dive after their prey : 

 remain long, and advance rapidly under water, pursuing their 

 prey with the aid of their wings. Feed almost exclusively on 

 fishes. Retire from the water with their prey in their bill ; 

 in order to swallow it head foremost, toss it up in the air, 

 catching it as it falls. Build on high trees or rocks, or even 

 on the ground among reeds : nest made with little art, and of 

 coarse materials ; eggs three or four, whitish. May be trained 

 to fish for man. 



Spread all over the world. Species rather numerous, 

 about fifteen. 



353. Phalacrocorax carbo, Dutnont. Bill four inches long ; 

 tail moderate, rounded, of fourteen feathers. 



Adult glossy black ; a white collar on the throat ; in win- 

 ter, a golden green crest ; head, neck and thighs with long, 

 slender, silky, white feathers. 



Young blackish, beneath mixed with whitish. 



