444 NATAT. PHALACROCORAX. CORMORANT. 



&c., but by pouncing upon the flying fish as they spring 

 from the sea, or by harassing other aquatic birds till they 

 disgorge their prey, which is caught by these ere it reaches 

 the surface of the water. In the genera that approach nearer 

 in their habits to the typical swimmers, we find a corres- 

 ponding modification of form ; thus the members of the ge- 

 nus Cormorant (well known for their aquatic powers) have 

 the body long and flattened, and the wings, although equal 

 to vigorous flight, much shorter than the genera above men- 

 tioned, or those which connect the Pelecanidae with the suc- 

 ceeding family of the Laridoe. Their legs, also, are placed 

 nearer to the extremity of the body, and the tibiae have not 

 the same freedom of action, in consequence of which, they 

 are compelled both to sit and walk almost in a perpendicular 

 position. All these prey beneath the surface of the water, 

 being endowed with the power of diving to an extent little 

 short of the typical Alcada and Colyiiibida. In Britain we 

 possess two forms of this family, viz. genus Phalacrocorax 

 and genus Sula. 



GENUS PHALACROCORAX, BRISS. CORMORANT. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



BILL generally longer than the head, strait, strong, hard, 

 slightly compressed; having the upper mandible rounded 

 above, terminating in a powerful hook, and furrowed later- 

 ally from the base, as far as the dertrum or tip. Lower 

 mandible with the terminating nail distinct, its tip com- 

 pressed and truncated. Tomia of the lower mandible in- 

 tracted, and covered by those of the upper one. Nostrils 

 basal, concealed. Face naked. Swallow and throat dila- 

 table. 



Wings of mean length, having the first quill-feather shorter 



