THE COMMON CORMORANT. 555 



in order to secure their prey, but when successful, occupy- 

 ing but a very brief space of time in swallowing it. Not 

 unfrequently they may be discerned from the shore simi- 

 larly occupied, floating or diving in the midst of the very- 

 breakers. Sometimes, but rarely, one settles on a rail or 

 stump of a tree close to the water in a tidal river. The 

 capture of fish is still its object, and it is quite as expert 

 in securing its prey from such a station as when roving at 

 large on the open sea. 



All along our coast there is at various intervals a rock 

 popularly distinguished in the neighbourhood by the name 

 of " Shag-rock." Such a rock is generally low, isolated, 

 and situated at a safe distance from land ; or, if near the 

 shore, is close to the base of a steep cliff. Hither the 

 Cormorants, when their hunger is appeased, repair for 

 the threefold purpose of resting, digesting their food, and 

 drying their wings. The process of digestion is soon com- 

 pleted, but the time consumed in drying their thoroughly 

 drenched wings depends on the amount of sunshine and 

 air moving. Of these, whatever they may be, they know 

 how to avail themselves to perfection. They station them- 

 selves on the highest ridge of the rock, wide apart, and in 

 a row, so as not to screen one another, raise their bodies to 

 their full height, and spread their wings to their utmost 

 extent. No laundress is more cunning in the exercise of 

 her vocation. Indeed, they can hardly fail to recall the 

 idea of so many pairs of black trousers hung out to be 

 aired. 



Cormorants do not confine their fishing expeditions to 

 the sea, but frequently ascend tidal rivers, and follow the 

 course of streams which communicate with fish-ponds and 

 lakes, where they commit great havoc ; for the quantity of 

 &sh which they devour at a meal is very great. Pliny has 

 observed that the Cormorant sometimes perches on trees ; 

 and the truth of this remark has been confirmed by many 

 subsequent writers. They have been even known to build 



