CORMORANTS AND ANGLERS 



found nesting on nearly every portion of our shores, 

 excepting between the Humber and Thames. The 

 nesting habits of both birds are very similar. The shag 

 is, however, it is to be remembered, seen much more 

 rarely upon inland waters than its big cousin, and is 

 essentially a bird of the salt water and seashore. 



Cormorants and shags swim deep in the water, and 

 seem to experience a good deal of difficulty in getting 

 under way and into the air. Once upon the wing, 

 however, their flight is a strong one, and although 

 they display little of the aerial grace and ease of so 

 many of the birds, they are good and rapid flyers and 

 can travel long distances. 



Their powers of swimming and diving are wonder- 

 fully developed, and they can remain under water for 

 a considerable period, as, indeed, they need to do when 

 chasing quick, elusive fish in their own element. Not 

 long ago there was an animated discussion in the Field 

 as to whether these birds use their wings when under 

 water. Several writers protested that they do not, and 

 alleged that the feet only are used when the shag or 

 cormorant is pursuing its prey beneath the surface. 

 Personally I have no doubt that these birds use both 

 wings and feet as propelling forces. I have watched 

 them under water, and, like many other observers, 

 I have, beyond any question of doubt, seen the wings 

 used very rapidly and very powerfully on these occa- 

 sions. There could not have been a better object- 

 lesson in this matter of propulsion than the cormorant 

 shown at the Fisheries Exhibition in London some 

 years back. This cormorant, which was a great attrac- 

 tion, was, for weeks together, at stated hours, fed with 

 living fish, for the amusement of visitors. The fish 

 used to be thrown into a large tank, having a plate 

 glass front, and the whole diving and chasing process 



169 



