BIRUS. ."73 



the passage to the stomach free and open ; and, for their reward> 

 they throw them part of their prey ; to each one or two fishes, 

 which they will catch most dexterously, as they are falling in the 

 air."» 



* The Corvorants are founil in all parts of the globe, and are equally good 

 divers and swimmers. Wlien they swim, they frequently have the head 

 alone out of the water ; and in diving, tliey pursue \vith the most aatonish- 

 ing swTftness tlie prey which they ha^'e perceived, and which seldom suc- 

 ceeds in escaping them. \Vlien they have talcen it they return to the sur- 

 face, and to swallow it the more easily, they throw it into the air, and 

 receive the head, so that the fins may incline in the passage of tlie gullet, 

 while the membranous skin inclines so as to let pass the entire body of the 

 fish, which is often very large, in proi)ortiou to the neck of the bird. In 

 many places, but more especially in China, corvorants have been employed 

 in fishing, a ring being put on tlie lower part of the neck to prevent them 

 from swallowing the fish, which they are taught to bring back to tlieir 

 master. 



They usually inhabit the borders of the sea and the mouths of rivers, and 

 feed on various kinds of fish. When their appetite is sated, they perch on 

 trees like other birds of similar palmation. They have a double moulting. 



The following account of the Chinese Corvorant by Sir George Staunton, is 

 the most authentic of any that has yet been given to us. " The Embassy," ho 

 eay.<, " had not proceeded far on the southern branch of the Imperial Canal, 

 when they arrived in the vicinity of a place where the Leii-tze, or famed 

 fishing-bird of China, is bred, and instructed in the art of supplying his 

 owner with fish in great abundance. It is a species of the pelican, rescai. 

 bling the common corvorant; but on a specimen being submitted to Dr 

 Sliaw, he has distinguished it in the following terms. Brown pelican, or 

 corvorant, ^vitll white throat ; the body whitish beneath ; the tail rounded, 

 ■the irides blue ; the bill yellow. On a large lake close to this part of the 

 canal, and to the eastward of it, are thousands of small boats and rafts built 

 entirely for this species of fishing. On each boat or raft arc ten or a dozen 

 liirds, which at a signal from the owner, plunge into the water ; and it is 

 astonishing to see the enormous size of the fish with which they return 

 grasped within their bills. They appear to be so well trained, that it did 

 liiit require either ring or cord about their throats to prevent them from 

 swallowing any portion of their prey, except what their master was pleased 

 l<i return to them for encouragement and food. The boat used by these 

 fishermen is of a remarkably light make, and is often carried to the lake, 

 together with the fishing birds, by the men who are there to be supported 

 by it." 



Corvorants are common on many of our sea-coasts, building their nest on 

 the highest trees of the cliffs that hang over the sea ; and laying three or 

 more pale green eggs, about the sr/.v of those of a goose. In winter tln-y 

 disperse along the shores, and visit the fresh waters, where they commit 

 great depredations anioiigst the fish. They are remarkably voracious, hav- 

 tUg a most sudden digestion, promoti'd, perhaps, by the infinite quantity "f 

 .mall worms that fill their intestines, 'i'liey are very wary, except when 

 ,liey have filled llioir slinnacli, when they Iiccimmc mi stupid, lliit it is fre. 



