292 THE CORMORANT. 



Of the Pelican family (Pelican.idce) there are three 

 British species, the Cormorant, the Shag, and the Gan- 

 net. These are birds of much more active habits than 

 the last-named family, with bodies of more shapely form, 

 more ample wings, and stronger flight. Their most re- 

 markable characteristic is a surface of naked skin about 

 the throat, capable of considerable dilatation, so as to 

 serve as a pouch for conveying unswallowed food. This 

 skin in the true Pelican is developed into an enormous 

 bag. In its British representatives it is comparatively 

 but rudimentary. The Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carlo) 

 is a dusky bird, with a blackish body, lighter-coloured 

 wings, a crested pole, a yellow face, a long, slender, 

 hooked bill, and green eyes. It may be seen on most 

 parts of the coast, perched on rocks, or sitting on the 

 ledges of mural cliffs, watching for fish. Occasionally, 

 in winter, it flies inland, and pursues its game in rivers 

 and lakes ; but its usual haunt is the rocky shore. It 

 is a most expert fish-catcher, and formerly in this 

 country was domesticated, and employed in taking fish 

 for its master. Old writers give many accounts of this 

 practice. In China, to the present day, an allied species 

 (Ph. sinensis) is employed for the same purpose. I copy 

 the account given by a recent traveller in that country. 

 " There were two small boats, containing one man and 

 about ten or twelve birds in each. The birds were 

 standing perched on the sides of the little boat, and 

 apparently had just arrived at the fishing-ground. They 

 were now ordered out of the boat by their masters ; and 

 so well trained were they that they went on the water 

 immediately, scattered themselves over the canal, and 



