554 PELECANID^E. 



Raven. The Hebrew word salach, rendered in the Sep- 

 tuagint Cataractes, which carries the idea of darting or rush- 

 ing, is in our version of the Bible translated Cormorant, 

 but with questionable propriety, for our bird has not been 

 observed in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. It is 

 the Mergus of classical writers and of Pliny. The Eng- 

 lish name, " Corvorant," is clearly Corvus wrans, a vora- 

 cious Raven ; and " Cormorant " perhaps a corruption of 

 Corvus marinus, Sea Raven. 



Sea-side visitors are pretty sure of seeing more than one 

 specimen of this bird, if they care to look for them, for 

 the Cormorant frequents all parts of the coast as well as 

 lakes and rivers, and does not leave us at any period of the 

 year. Often we may see two or three of these birds flying 

 along together at a slight distance above the surface of the 

 sea, distinguished by their black hue, long outstretched 

 neck, and rapid waving of the wings. They fly swiftly in 

 a straight line, and seem to be kept from dipping into the 

 water by making ahead at full speed. There is no buoy- 

 ancy in their flight, no floating in the air, or soaring ; their 

 sole motive for using their narrow but muscular wings is 

 clearly that they may repair to or from some favourite spot 

 with greater speed than they can attain by swimming 

 or diving. Occasionally, while engaged in a boating expe- 

 dition, we may encounter a party of three or four occupied 

 in fishing. They are shy, and will not allow a near 

 approach, but even at a distance they may be distinguished 

 by their large size, sooty hue, long necks, and hooked beaks. 

 They sit low in the water, often dipping their heads below 

 the surface, and in this posture advancing, in order that 

 their search for food may not be impeded by the ripple of 

 the water. A sheltered bay in which shoals of small fish 

 abound is a choice resort, and here they make no long 

 continuous 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 



