THE CORMORANT. 195 



What is the colour of this bird 3 



Its colour, except a white spot under the throat , 

 and another on each side, is entirely black. 



What is the shape of this bird ? 



The shape of the Cormorant is between that of the 

 goose and that of the falcon. Like the goose, it has 

 short legs, and is web-footed, but the shape of its 

 body, neck, and bill, are more like those of the falcon. 

 Its bill is long, and the upper mandible is bent, like a 

 hook over the end of the lower one. 



Where does the Cormorant live ? 



This bird is found in Asia, and particularly in China, 

 where it inhabits the bays and rivers in abundance. 



This Cormorant lives entirely on fish, which he 

 catches by diving, and is exceedingly expert in seizing 

 and holding his prey. He cares not whether the 

 water be fresh or salt, provided it contains an abun- 

 dance of the finny race ; and so craving is his appe- 

 tite, that he not only fishes by day, but goes forth by 

 night in search of plunder. 



This bird is esteemed the best fisher of all the feath- 

 ered race, and although large, and generally very fat, 

 he flies with great swiftness and strength, and spends 

 most of his time on the wing. In this respect he dif- 

 fers entirely from the pelican, who fishes only to pre- 

 vent actual starvation. 



He pursues his prey with the most untiring activity, 

 rising to a great height over the water, and searching 

 it carefully with his eye. The moment he discovers 

 a fish, he drops down as though dead, but seldom rises 

 again without success. He seizes his prey with his 

 bill, and not like the fish- hawk, with his claws. When 



