1 1 o llirds of Canada. 



in the fall, in flocks of twenty or thirty. Length, 

 thirty eight inches ; general color, white. Feeds 

 upon fish, which it obtains by plunging from a 

 height, often remaining under water for several 

 minutes. The nest of the gannet is made of 

 sea-weed and grasses, placed on the rocks near 

 the sea coast. It lays but one egg, of a pale 

 green color. 



FAMILY GRACULID^E. THE 

 CORMORANTS. 



Graculus carbo. The Common Cormorant. 



This species breeds in Canada. They arc 

 quite common in the interior of the country. 

 Nests, in the crevices of rocks ; eggs, three of a 

 bluish-green color. Among the whole of the 

 web-footed birds which prey on fish, there are 

 none so voracious as Cormorants. They are 

 most excellent divers, and pursue their prey 

 with astonishing facility beneath the surface of 

 the water, but upon land they are extremely 

 awkward in their movements, owing to their legs 

 being placed so far backwards : they, however, 

 fly with rapidity ; and the tail being rather long, 

 and furnished with strong feathers, it helps to 

 support the body while walking. As soon as 1 

 winter approaches, they are seen dispersed along 

 the sea shores, entering the mouths of fresh-water 



