218 



BRITISH BIRDS 



Cormorant. 

 Phalacrocorax carbo. 



FIG. 74. CORMORANT. ~ natural size. 



Upper head and neck black, striated with hair-like white feathers, 

 those on the occiput being elongated, and forming a crest in spring ; 

 throat white ; gular pouch yellow ; mantle black and bronze- 

 brown ; all the other parts black, except a white patch on the thigh, 

 assumed early in spring and lost in summer ; iris emerald-green. 

 Female : larger than the male, brighter in colour, and with longer 

 crest. Length, three feet. 



To those who know it slightly the cormorant is a big, sombre, 

 ugly bird, heavy and awkward in his motions out of the water, and, 

 when breeding, disgusting in his habits. He improves on a closer 

 acquaintance. He may be easily tamed, and makes an intelligent, 

 and sometimes very amusing, pet, and is capable of being trained 



