The Cormorant. 



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THE CORMORANT, (Phalacrocorax carlo,) 



Is a large water-bird, nearly allied to the pelican, pos- 

 sessed with a very voracious appetite, and consequently 

 of a very rapacious disposition. It lives upon all sorts of 

 fish; the fresh water and the briny waves of the sea 

 both paying a large contribution to its craving stomach. 

 The bill is about five inches in length, and of a dusky 

 colour ; the predominant tints of the body are black 

 beneath, and dark brown above ; on each thigh there 

 is a white patch. The smell of these birds when alive 

 is excessively rank and disagreeable ; and their flesh is 

 so disgusting that even the Greenlanders, among whom 

 they are very common, will scarcely eat it. They were 

 formerly tamed in England for the purpose of catching 

 fish, as falcons and hawks were for chasing the fleet inha- 

 bitants of the air. This custom is still in practice in 

 China. The birds are taken to the water in a boat, with 

 leather thongs tied round their necks to prevent their 

 swallowing the fish; at the word of command they de- 

 scend into the water, swim about, and dive in pursuit of 



