3G2 



INTEODUCTTON TO ZOOLOGY. 



to every one by character, if not by appearance ; for to eat like 

 a Cormorant has become almost the simplest mode of express- 

 ing great voracity. The common Cormorant {Phalacrocorax 

 carlo), when gorged with food, is to human eyes so unattrac- 

 tive that it is under this form Milton describes Satan, after he 

 had gained admission into Paradise — 



-" Up he flew, and on the tree of life 



A ring is 



Sat like p. Cormorant — devising death 

 To them that lived." 



The Chinese employ the Cormorant in fishing 

 placed round the neck of the bird to prevent the prey being 

 swallowed, and as soon as a sufficient number has been obtained 

 for its master the ring is removed, and the bu-d allowed to fish 

 on its own account. 



Laridce. — The Terns, Gulls, and Petrels belong to the pre- 

 sent family. The Terns are also called Sea-swallows,* a terra 

 expressive of ease and rapidity of flight, and of some resem- 

 blance in other respects, among which the long-forked tail 

 is perhaps the most striking {Fig. 284). They live upon small 



Fig. 284.— Teen. 



fish, and flying some yards above the water, dart down with 

 such quickness and precision as rai'ely to miss the object of 

 their aim. 



The Grulls are, however, better known than either of the 

 other tribes. The mariner finds them in all seas ; and the 

 landsman who visits the coast cannot fail to remark their grace- 

 * Eironddles de mer of the French authors. 



