162 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



most distiuguished. It resorts every spring to the 

 islets of Labrador, after sojourning for the winter 

 on the eastern coasts. In long lines, sometimes 

 forming angles, it hovers close over the waters in 

 its flight. Occasionally it may be seen to sail in a 

 beautifal manner at a considerable height above 

 the surface. In order to rise from the water, 

 in which it sinks so as to be covered when 

 swimming, it runs beating the waves as it goes 

 for many yards, as though to receive an impetus 

 before it mounts on wing. It is fond of sun- 

 ning itself with extended wings, when the glossy 

 blended plumage of this beautiful bird, shining 

 in the light, is seen to great advantage. Though 

 differing in size, as well as in the structure of its 

 plumage, it closely resembles the cormorant of 

 Florida. It has another temporary distinction 

 during the breeding season, in the crest or tuft, 

 which consists of a single hne of feathers curved 

 downwards. 



The Florida cormorant is a constant resident 

 in the country after which it is named. Occa- 

 sionally it proceeds as far as Cape Hatteras. 

 Seldom venturing out far to sea, or over land, 

 it is found in bays and inlets, always thus fol- 

 lowing the windings of the shores, though its 

 course should be extended in this way to three 

 times the necessary length for reaching a given 

 spot. This is the only one of its kind observed 



