

Cormorant. 



BIRDS WEB-FOOTED DIAGRAM 4. &J 



The Cormorants are dull-coloured birds, which live like the 

 gulls by the seaside, and feed like 

 them on fish. The cormorants 

 stand on a rock, and remain 

 motionless until they perceive 

 their prey, when they dart into the 

 water and seize it. The cormo- 

 rant can be tamed, and used to 

 catch fish ; but a collar must 

 then be fastened tightly round 

 his neck, and not being able 

 to swallow the fish, he brings 

 it back. 



The Pelican is not found in Britain, though it is met with in 

 some parts of Southern Europe. It also lives on fish, but it 

 generally fishes in rivers ; it has an enormous beak, and, below 

 that, a great elastic pouch in 

 which it puts the fish before 

 swallowing it, or when it 

 wishes to bring it to its young. 

 The Pelican has a fine white 

 plumage ; but when it returns 

 to its nest with the fish that it has killed, it sometimes happens 

 that the front of its neck and breast are spotted with blood, and 

 this no doubt has given rise to the fable that it pierced its breast 

 to feed its young ; but this story is no truer than a thousand other 

 fables related of birds. 



The Swans, Geese, and Ducks, form a family of water-birds, 

 characterised by their broad and flattened beak. They have all very 

 downy feathers, which arc largely used for making bedding. 



The Swan is reared in domesticity for the beauty of its plumage, 

 but it is also met with in a wild state in great marshes. It makes 

 its nest among dry reeds, and lays seven or eight greenish grey 

 eggs in the month of February. The female sits upon them for six 

 weeks, but the male does not leave her, and defends her against 

 any enemies who might disturb her. 



Head of Pelican. 



