COMMON OBJECTS OF THE SHOEE. 



341 



a day. The cormorants can dive down on their prey 

 from the greatest height with almost unerring cer- 

 tainty, and having seized a fish, will emerge from 



the water with the fish across the bill, with sudden 

 twirl throw it up in the air. catch it head foremost, 

 and swallow it. 



The black cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a 

 common bird of the shores. It is to be seen in 

 great numbers on the cliffs of the Isle of Wight, 



