194 THE CORMORANT. 



away, they lie a string around their necks, just under 

 the throat. The bird being thus unable to satisfy his 

 hunger when away from home, goes to his master, who 

 takes off the string, and gives him a few fish as a re- 

 ward for the labours of the day. Thus is the poor 

 bird compelled to work for his master fora small part 

 of his own earnings. 



The Pelican lives to a very great age. Gesner 

 speaks of one that was known to be eighty years old, 

 and was such a favourite with the emperor Maximilian, 

 that wherever he marched with his army, he always 

 ordered his Pelican to attend him. 



THE CORMORANT. 



The Cormorant tribe, like the Pelicans, live on fish, 

 which they catch by diving. They are a most vora- 

 cious race, and employ most of their time in fishing 

 for their own provisions. One of this family has a 

 small pouch attached to the lower mandible, like the 

 pelican, but it does not appear to be used for the same 

 purpose. The Common Cormorant and the Fishing 

 Cormorant are the two species best known, but they 

 differ very little from each other in appearance. 



THE FISHING CORMORANT. 



How large is the Fishing Cormorant ? 



The Fishing Cormorant is three feet long, and with 

 the wings spread, about six feet in extent. 



