THE CORMORANT THE GANNET. 223 



THE CORMORANT (Graculus carlo). 



On Plate IV. may be seen two figures of the Cor- 

 morant. One is represented on the upper part of the 

 plate sitting on a rock and looking after the young, 

 while the other is diving into the water for the pur- 

 pose of catching fish. The skill of the bird in this act 

 is quite proverbial ; and, just as the cheetah has been 

 trained to capture antelopes on the ground, and the 

 falcon to chase birds in the air, for the use of man, so 

 has the Cormorant been trained to chase and capture 

 fish, not for its own use, but for the services of its 

 master. 



As the nest of the Cormorant is always, if possible, 

 placed on some elevated spot, it is evident that the 

 wings of the bird must be developed sufficiently to 

 enable it to rise in the air though impeded by the 

 weight of its prey. Accordingly, we find that the 

 wings are large and powerful, but that they can be 

 folded to the body so closely that they offer no resist- 

 ance to the water, and allow the bird to assume that 

 nearly fish-like form which is so noticeable in many 

 diving birds. This form is well expressed in the bird 

 which is represented plunging into the water. 



THE GANNET (Sula lassanea). 



I mention the Gannet, not only for its skill in the 

 water, but for a most remarkable modification of its 

 structure by which it is able to obtain its prey from the 

 water. 



