CORMORANT 



COMMON CORMORANT CORVORANT. 



PLATE CCXI I. FIGURE II. 



Phalacrocorax carbo, .... MACGILLIVRAY. 

 Carbo cormoranus^ . ... . TEMMINCK. 

 Halicus cormoranus, .... NAUMANN. 



THE Cormorant naturally prefers an elevated situation 

 for its nest ; the tops of lofty cliffs are built on, or 

 high trees. Failing these, a bed of rushes is made to serve 

 the purpose on the mainland ; or the top of a low island 

 rock is resorted to. Many couples often breed together. 



The nest, which is large, is composed of sticks or sea- 

 weed, heaped up to the height of a couple of feet. The 

 finer portions or grass line the interior. 



The eggs, small in proportion to the size of the bird, 

 are of pale bluish or greenish colour, encrusted with chalky 

 white ; they are without polish, and of an oblong shape. 

 Three is the usual number, but sometimes six are laid, in 

 the latter half of April or in May : they are hatched in 

 four weeks. 



As soon as the young are able to fend and forage for 

 themselves, they are conducted to the sea by their parents, 

 and then left to their own resources. 



156 



