COBVORANT AND SHAG. 207 



take their prey in two different ways : either by darting 

 perpendicularly upon it from the air ; or by swimming 

 in flocks, and forming a large circle round a shoal of fish, 

 which circle they gradually close, and, in conclusion, 

 seize the fish with their beaks. As soon as their pouches 

 are filled, they return to the shore and swallow the con- 

 tents; after which they continue in a state of stupor and 

 inactivity until again roused by the calls of hunger, when 

 they fly off in search of fresh supplies. Both in their 

 general appearance and in their habits, these birds are 

 amongst the most sluggish and indolent of the feathered 

 tribes. They form their nests, generally in the most de- 

 sert places upon the ground. These are about a foot and 

 a half in diameter, and are composed of rushes and grass, 

 lined with softer materials. Pelecans lay two white eggs. 

 They are found in several parts of Asia, Africa, and 

 South America. 



When full grown this bird is larger than a swan. The 

 plumage is of a dirty reddish-white colour, except the 

 spurious wings and first quill -feathers, which are black. 

 The bill is about sixteen inches long, and, as before 

 stated, contains within the lower mandible a large bag 

 or pouch. The sides of the head are naked, and some- 

 what of a flesh-colour ; and on the back of the head 

 there is a kind of crest. The bill is yellowish, and the 

 legs are lead-coloured. 



Corvorant or Cormorant, and Shag. The voracity 

 of these birds is such as to have become proverbial ; 

 and the appellation of Cormorant is frequently applied 

 as a term of reproach, and synonymous to glutton. 

 Both the Shag and Corvorant devour fish in such quan- 

 tity, and so gorge themselves, as to become stupified 

 and almost incapable of flight. And, from their gross 



