THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 13 



CORMORANTS (Phalacrocoracida}. 



DIAGNOSIS. Diving-birds with all the four toes webbed 

 and moderate wings. 



SIZE. From that of a goose to that of a jackdaw. 



FORM. Bill, medium to short, with the tip hooked, 

 except in the Darters, covering divided by grooves, 

 nostrils nearly obsolete ; feet with short laterally 

 flattened shanks, and all four toes webbed, the first 

 pointing backwards as usual, and not forwards as 

 often stated ; wings moderate ; tail moderate or 

 long. Neck and body long, thighs prominent. 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering peculiarly 

 short on the lower back, usually mostly black 

 or black-and-white, in the adults, and brown in the 

 young ; hardly ever a sexual difference, but usually 

 some seasonal change. Face always bare. 



YOUNG. Helpless and naked at first, then clothed with 

 down, except the front of the head, which remains 

 bare ; down black in Cormorants, white in Darters. 

 They fledge evenly, like other nestlings. When 

 being fed they thrust their heads down the parents' 

 throats. 



NEST. A collection of sticks, weed, etc^ placed on 

 rocks, trees, reeds, or the ground. 



EGGS. Several ; pale blue or green, overlaid by a white 

 chalky coating. 



INCUBATION. About a month. 



COURTSHIP. In the case of the Common Cormorant, 

 the male bends down his bill, expands his throat, 

 half opens his wings, and hops about the female. 



FOOD. Fish and other aquatic animals obtained by 

 diving. 



GAIT. A walk, not so awkward as often represented. 

 Cormorants stand and move semi-erect, but Darters 

 walk with the body horizontal. Most perch 

 freely, and jump about among boughs with con- 



