COMMON CORMORANT. GREEN CORMORANT. 237 



In China this bird is domesticated for the purpose of catch- 

 ing fish, a small ring being fastened round the neck to pre- 

 vent self-appropriation. In England it has also been tamed 

 with similar success ; and in the present day we have fre- 

 quently observed in the newspapers accounts of their trac- 

 tability. 



Indigenous. 



SPECIES 227 THE GREEN CORMORANT. 



Phalacracorax cristatus. Selby. 

 Cormoran longup. Temm. 

 Shag. Crested Cormorant. 



THIS species, alike elegant in form and plumage, occurs in a 

 very small proportion to the preceding, and seldom ventures 

 into bays and estuaries, but affects more maritime habits, 

 and is often found during summer and winter a considerable 

 distance from the land. 



Similar in its habits to the preceding, we observe them at 

 Lambay flying backwards and forwards between their breed- 

 ing haunts, in small parties of from five to a dozen. 



Graceful and beautiful in its appearance, the ornithologist 

 is at all times gratified by its observance, and it never occurs 

 to more advantage than when eight or ten birds congregate 

 on some rock, to preen their feathers, their burnished plum- 

 age glancing brightly whilst attempting to free themselves 

 from the parasites which infest them. Of similar interest in 

 its breeding haunts, their nests are situated along the upper 

 ledges in some cave by the sea-side ; and on entering our 

 appearance is greeted by some dozen long, snake -like 

 necks poked downwards, whilst on the least alarm all the 

 birds shoot down into the water, and dive from the 

 cave. 



Watchful and difficult to approach, occasionally they ex- 

 hibit considerable tameness where they have become habitu- 

 ated to a locality. Thus we have many times observed them 

 to the best advantage when perching upon the safety buoys 

 in Dublin Bay, where they remain, without the slightest 

 alarm, within a short distance of the steam -vessels constantly 

 passing. 



Possessing the same disagreeable odour and toughness of 

 flesh which distinguishes the more common species, we were 

 considerably amused by observing five crested cormorants 

 exposed for sale by a fisherman at Dieppe, his importunity 

 towards the English passengers becoming so excessive as to 



