378 INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



(ante, p. 307). The other two belong to one genus, and are 

 known to every one by character, if not by appearance ; for 

 to eat like a Cormorant has become almost the simplest mode 

 of expressing great voracity. The common Cormorant 

 (Phalacrocorax carbo), when gorged with food, is to human 

 eyes so unattractive that it is under this form Milton describes 

 Satan, after he had gained admission into Paradise: 



" Up he flew, and on the tree of life 



Sat like a Cormorant devising death 

 To them that lived." 



The Chinese employ the Cormorant in fishing. A ring is 

 placed round the neck of the bird to prevent the prey being 

 swallowed, and as soon as a sufficient number has been ob- 

 tained for its master the ring is removed, and the bird allowed 

 to fish on its own account. 



Laridce. The Terns, Gulls, and Petrels belong to the 

 present family. The Terns are also called Sea-swallows,* a 

 term expressive of ease and rapidity of flight, and of some 

 resemblance in other respects, among which the long-forked 

 tail is perhaps the most striking (Fig. 283). They live upon 



Fig. 283. TERN. 



small fish, and flying some yards above the water, dart down 

 with such quickness and precision as rarely to miss the object 

 of their aim. 



The Gulls are, however, better known than either of the other 



tribes. The mariner finds them in all seas; and the landsma 



who visits the coast cannot fail to remark their graceful flight, 



* Hirondelles de mer of the French authors. 



