CORMORANT. 129 



CORMORANT. 



COMMON CORMORANT. CORVORANT. 

 PLATE CCXII. FIGURE II. 



Pelecanus carbo, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



Carl/o cormoranus, TEMMINCK. 



rilHE Cormorant naturally prefers an elevated situ- 

 -*- ation for its nest, though in default of such it is 

 obliged to put up with a lowly one. It is well for 

 those of a higher rank in creation than the bird when 

 they can thus readily accommodate themselves to the 

 circumstances in which they are placed. Many pairs 

 congregate together. 



In the former case the tops of lofty cliffs are built 

 on, or, as the next best, 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. 



The nest, which is large, is composed of sticks 

 or sea-weeds, heaped up to the height of a couple of 

 feet. The finer portions or grass forming the interior. 



The eggs, small in proportion to the size of the 

 bird, are of a pale bluish or greenish white colour, 

 without polish, and of an oblong shape. Three, four, 

 or five are usually laid, but sometimes six. This in 



VOL. in. s 



