216 



ZOOLOGY. 



more than in other birds by a large number of much sub- 

 divided air-cells under the skin of the body. 



The pelican is remarkable for the large, loose pouch on 

 the under jaw, capable of holding several quarts, or several 

 hundred small fishes. In the East Indies, pelicans are 

 tamed and used by the natives in fishing, as is the cor- 

 morant in China, while in early times it was in England. 



The cormorants are very gregarious, and breed in great 

 numbers in the northern regions on cliffs overhanging the 



Fig. 254.— Sooty Albatross. 



sea. Their nests are rude and bulky. Thev feed mainly 

 upon fish, and are notoriously voracious. The common 

 cormorant or shag (Graculus carlo) breeds in great num- 

 bers in Labrador and Newfoundland. It is glossy greenish 

 black in summer, with numerous white plumes on the head 

 and neck. 



The darter, snake bird, or anhinga (Plotns anliinga) is 

 common in the South Atlantic and Gulf States; it has a 

 long snake-like neck, and can swim a long distance under 

 water. The gannet or solan goose {Sulalassana) breeds in 



