THE CORMORANT. 



This bird breeds on most of our rocky coasts, where 

 an insulated eminence may sometimes be observed co- 

 vered with the nests of cormorants, and composed of 

 sticks and seaweed. In the winter they are frequently 

 found in fresh-water rivers far distant from the sea; and 

 eight or ten have been observed together far up the 

 river Usk, perched on a tree. 



This bird is a great destroyer of fish ; and by fre- 

 quent diving, the wings often become so wet, that it is 

 unable to fly. It is said to have been trained and used 

 for fishing, as hawks are for fowling, and that a tight 

 collar was put round the neck, to prevent the cormorant 

 swallowing its prey. Its dexterity in fishing is very- 

 great. Aware of its own powers, if a fish is thrown 

 into the water at a distance, it will dive immediately, 

 take a direct line to the spot, and frequently capture the 

 fish before it falls to the bottom. 



A cormorant, taken by an able naturalist, is described 

 as extremely docile, of a grateful disposition, and with- 



