CORMORANT. NATAT. PHALACROCORAX. 449 



head foremost ; and should the fish happen to have been awk- 

 wardly captured for this operation, it is tossed into the air, 

 and in descending caught in a more favourable position. In 

 swimming, the body of this bird is almost entirely submerged, 

 the head and part of the neck only being visible. MONTAGU 

 also observes, that when in the act of looking for its prey, 

 it always carries the head under water, being able thus to 

 discover it at a greater distance than if the eyes were kept 

 above the surface, which is generally in some degree agitated. 

 It may frequently be observed standing upon the shore or 

 rocks, with the wings expanded, for several minutes at a 

 time, in order to dry the feathers and bring them to the pro- 

 per state for preening, as they are apt to become wet from 

 long continued diving, causing the gradual loss of the oily 

 matter that partly defends them from the action of the water. 

 This species is a native of the new as well as of the ancient 

 continent, being found in various parts of North America ; it 

 is also met with in Northern Asia, and in Europe its distri- 

 bution is wide, extending to high latitudes. The bronchi 

 in this bird are of great length, and of equal diameter, issu- 

 ing from the lower larynx, which is formed of a single car- 

 tilaginous ring. Immediately below the glottis, the tube is 

 enlarged, but soon contracts, and remains of the same dia- 

 meter through the rest of its course *. 



PLATE 84. Represents the Adult bird in summer plumage, 



rather less than the natural size. 



Upon the head and upper part of the neck are silky hair- General 

 like white feathers. The gorget and the patch upon the tion. 

 thighs pure white. Semi-erect occipital crest; lower 



It appears probable that, under favourable circumstances, the Cormo- 

 rant would breed in a reclaimed or domesticated state, as Mr NEILL in- 

 forms me, that one in his possession laid two eggs in April last (1832), and 

 shewed an inclination to incubate. The eggs having been accidentally 

 broken, the fact of their impregnation remains doubtful. He adds, that 

 they roost with the poultry when they find the hen-house door open, 

 keeping the cocks and hens at a respectful distance. The Solan never 

 aspires in that way. 



VOL. II. F f 



