CORMORANTS. / 9 



when sitting the head is held well up slight- 

 ly in advance of the body, the neck in the 

 form of an S, sometimes the wings are wind- 

 ly spread for a considerable time, fig. 48. 



Cormorants walk quite well and dive 

 with ease, sometimes from the wing, but 

 more often when swimming, and can remain 

 underwater several minutes. In alighting, 

 they will usually pass the object on which 

 they intend to rest, then turn and go back 

 to it. In starting from a perch, will drop 

 nearly to the water, then rise. If suddenly 

 alarmed by a shout or a gun shot when fly- 

 ing low over the water, will often drop into 

 it, diving as soon as they reach it. The cry, 

 seldom given, is a harsh croak. 



The young are hatched naked with the 

 skin bluish or black and shining as if pol- 

 ished. Sexes similar. There are usually 

 white, filamentous feathers about the head 

 during the breeding season, but these can- 

 not be seen at any great distance. 



